Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2015 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada Lisa Paulson, Parks Canada

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Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Stay tunned - a significant weather system is forecasted for the weekend bumping up the hazard. We are monitoring the incoming system which will be most intense along and West of the divide. Game on...

Summary

Weather Forecast

Another benign day of weather for Friday.  We are keeping a close eye on a significant system moving in Friday night through to Sunday.  We are expecting significant snowfall, along the divide and on the West side.  The winds will be moderate to strong Westerly during the system with temperatures warming on Sunday with alpine highs of 0C. 

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack remains fundamentally weak, with a combination of windslab, surface hoar and basal facets all causing concern in different types of terrain. Snowpack tests continue to produce moderate to hard sudden results on the basal weakness/ Dec. 18th interface which has become one and the same in many areas.

Avalanche Summary

No natural avalanches observed, but forecasters on Mt. Field reported a couple large whumphs in an open area below treeline, indicating human triggering of deeper weak layers is still possible in the right terrain.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Surface windslabs formed on Jan 18/19 can be triggered by skiers and climbers. Feel for tension in the surface snow and avoid freshly windloaded terrain.
If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
In shallower snowpack areas (most of the region) the weak base of the snowpack persists and could be triggered in steep, rocky terrain features. Although in some areas, the Dec. 18th layer persists, management of both layers should be the same.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2015 4:00PM

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