Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2012 4:00PM

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

chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Small systems are lined up to hit the Rockies Thursday and Saturday. Winds will accompany the new snow and form soft slabs on the buried Valentine's surface hoar in alpine and tree-line lee features. Keep your head up for changing surface conditions

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

While the storm snow is mainly unconsolidated from Lake Louise north, it is reported to be slabbing up in the Sunshine B/C. A skier-triggered sz 1.5 occurred near Quartz Ridge today. As the slabs stiffen on the surface hoar, expect them to be touchy.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Strong winds from earlier in the month have created large cornices on lee (mostly easterly) aspects. Several large cornice collapses have been observed over the past week. These cornices could be a big enough to trigger a deep slab.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 16th, 2012 4:00PM