Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 2nd, 2012 4:00PM

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

Snow Safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Previous snow and extreme winds have formed touchy wind slabs at higher elevations. Mild temps this week with freezing levels to 2000m on Wed. and the chance of another brief, but intense storm may increase the avalanche hazard. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs up to 1m deep are triggerable in avalanche terrain. In sporatic TL places West of the divide, this may be sitting on the Dec.10 surface hoar, and facets in most other places. Avalanches could be quite large due to stiff wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal facets/depth hoar are becoming less reactive in field tests, but If a wind slab is initiated, it may have enough volume to step down to create larger avalanches. Other trigger points will be thin, crossloaded features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 3rd, 2012 4:00PM