Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 13th, 2017 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Not much change except a break from the arctic shackles! The lack of natural activity doesn't change the fact that the lower half of the snowpack is rotten. Choose conservative terrain, especially where a wind slab sits over these facet layers. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Finally some respite from the "old school" winter temperatures. The morning low will still be in the "teens" but highs in the -6C range can be expected tomorrow afternoon. Alpine winds will be W to NW in the light to moderate range. On Sunday and Monday the temperatures are warmer still with strong winds from the SW.

Snowpack Summary

Lots of hard wind slabs at treeline and above from a variety of wind directions over the past while, most notably N winds from the arctic air. This has produced a reverse loading pattern in many locations. These hard slabs in many starting zone areas overly a weak, faceted snowpack with numerous instabilities in the lower half of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

A few natural size 2 avalanches were reported on Thursday in the Sunshine and Banff regions. These were likely cornice triggered wind slabs. No avalanches were reported Friday.

Confidence

on Saturday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds from the north have created hard wind slabs in many areas, and these are reverse from normal locations. These slabs are hard to trigger, with a single person, but if they go it will be a dense piece of snow to ride.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower half of the snowpack is garbage, and will be for the distant future. Facets, crusts and depth hoar make for a very unsupported base for the snowpack. Large, avalanche prone features are out for now.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 14th, 2017 4:00PM