Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 9th, 2016 4:42PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Ian Jackson, Avalanche Canada

Explosive control today had mixed results but many large destructive avalanches were triggered. Conditions remain tricky - it's a good time to minimize your exposure to avalanche terrain

Summary

Weather Forecast

The freezing level is expected to rise to 1900m again tomorrow. Increasing cloudiness towards the end of the day. Alpine wind is expected to increase to roughly 50km an hour from the West toward the end of the day as well.

Snowpack Summary

50-100 cm of snow overlies the January 6th weak layer of surface hoar, facets and sun crust and recent natural and explosive triggered avalanche activity indicates this layer is still reactive. Extensive wind effect exists in the alpine and at treeline and recent warm temperatures have created suncrusts on southeast through west aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Several size 2-3 avalanches were triggered with explosive control in Yoho Park today. These were all on solar aspects and started as dry slabs then entrained loose wet snow and finished as slow moving wet avalanches. Many triggered slabs lower in the tracks indicating the Jan 6th persistent slab problem is still reactive.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

Many explosive triggered avalanches today throughout Banff, Yoho and Kootenay stepped down to this layer resulting in large destructive avalanches. Avalanche terrain that has not yet slid should be suspect.

  • Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.
  • Avoid areas with overhead hazard.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Loose wet activity will be less active than on Tuesday, but with freezing levels still forecast to rise to ~2000m it is still a good idea to stay out of steep south facing terrain and rock gullies with overhead exposure.

  • Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Extensive wind effect exists in ALP and TL terrain. These slabs should be settling out with warm temperatures, but are still reactive and if triggered may step down to the deeper Jan. 6th layer.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 10th, 2016 4:00PM