Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2018 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Watch for new windslabs as you approach or enter lee areas near ridgecrests. Watch for loose snow in gully features.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The chinook winds showed up on Saturday and may be expected to build windslabs in immediate lee areas near ridgecrests. New snow and continuing wind over the next few days will likely add to the problem.

Snowpack Summary

20-50cm of snow sits over the december 15 surface hoar layer which is beginning to develop some slab properties. Below this the snowpack is heavily faceted with remnants of older crust's still lingering throughout. In many areas loose faceted surface snow continues to be the main instability of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported today

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Loose snow will continue to be a problem in steep rocky areas and gullies until the facets round out a bit.

Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Previous new snow is being moved by the chinook winds, continuing snowfall and wind over the next few days will likely make the problem worse.

Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 7th, 2018 4:00PM