Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 2nd, 2018 5:29PM

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.

Grant Statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Conditions are generally good, but not perfect as the week warms up. Climbers should be wary of steep, sun exposed gullies, and skiers watch out for the weaker snowpack in the Lake Louise area. Thurs and Fri will be hot days in sheltered areas.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The warm air has arrived and it at the higher elevations today and also for Wednesday. Expect clear skies and continued warming through the week, particularly on the eastern side of the park. Valley bottom high's will reach +1 by Friday. Thursday and Friday will be the warmest days of the week. Don't be fooled by cold temps in the valleys.

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow is a mix of soft powder and wind effect in alpine areas. The recent cold temperatures have weakened the upper half of the snowpack, and several weak layers exist in the top 60 cm. The distribution of these layers across our forecast region is quite random. The loose surface snow will run far when even a small avalanche starts.

Avalanche Summary

Lots of interesting activity around the Lake Louise backcountry today. We received reports of a 3 different avalanches triggered by skiers in West Bowl (size 1), Corral Creek Slides (size 1.5) and Hidden Bowl (size 2). No involvements but these were unexpected and definitely highlight the uncertainty in the snow pack around Lake Louise.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

The cold temperatures have facetted the surface snow, and once initiated sluffs can pick up mass and travel far. Big sluffs are possible if you are climbing in gullies with steep terrain above, or skiing steep lines.

The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Hard to describe the location of these as they appear quite random, but they exist so watch for them. Due to the surface faceting they have the potential to run far.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2018 4:00PM