Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 12 – 13, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Forecasted light snowfall and strong westerly and northwesterly winds will create touchy wind-slabs in lee terrain in the alpine.

Weather Forecast

A  frontal system will pass through the area on Tuesday bringing light snowfall and strong westerly winds. After the passage of the cold front  cooler temperatures and gusty northwest wind are forecasted for Wednesday. The winds and new snow will cause the avalanche hazard to increase over the short term.

Snowpack Summary

Forecasted light snowfall and strong westerly and north-westerly winds on Tuesday will create touchy windslabs in lee alpine terrain. Jan 06 surface hoar facet layer down 30-50 still producing hard planar shears. Where shallow the mid-pack is weak and facetted. In deeper snow country west of the divide the mid-pack remains strong.

Avalanche Summary

A large cornice triggered a Class 2 slab out of steep east facing terrain on Wapta Peak in past 48 hours. Otherwise no recent avalanche activity observed or reported.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday

Regions covered