Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 5 – 6, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The inversion has broken down, alpine temperatures have return to seasonal norms.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Moderate winds have created hard windslabs in exposed alpine terrain.  So far, we have seen little action with this layer.  Areas of wind effect and loading are fairly easy to recognize now. Pick sheltered locations, near the divide for best skiing.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    The cold temperatures are facetting out cornices and large cornice failures have been observed. Currently there is an objective hazard from natural cornice failures as well as a hazard from human triggering while walking on ridges.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    This problem exists mainly in thin snowpack areas E of the divide where the snowpack has completely facetted and lost all cohesion. Watch for sloughing in steep terrain where the snow is unsupportive.  This is especially a concern for ice climbers.

Weather Forecast

Incoming benign weather has eroded the inversion and alpine temperatures have returned to seasonal norms.  Mixed weather for the weekend, expect some flurries along the divide tomorrow afternoon.  The amounts are forecasted to slowly increase over the next 5 days, with the most snow forecasted for Wednesday... stay tuned.

Snowpack Summary

Hard wind slabs exist in exposed alpine features but haven't been reactive to skier traffic. Surface hoar is growing in sheltered treeline locations. W of the divide, a well settled snowpack exists with the basal Nov 6 crust well bonded. In the front ranges E of the divide, a facetted snowpack exists with the Nov 6 basal crust being mainly faceted.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Yesterday, the combination of the inversion and sun affect led to some notable avalanches in ice climbing terrain on solar aspects along the parkway (outside of our forecast region), to see the details google the mountain condition report, thanks for the report. 

Confidence

Regions covered