Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 24th, 2014 4:00PM

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

Stephen Holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Beautiful weather and warm temperatures in the alpine. Climbers should take note on sunny climbs as the hazard could increase during the day. Forecasters still have lower confidence in thin snowpack areas due to the basal weak layer. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Inverted temperatures will continue through to Saturday night when temperatures will drop at all elevations. Expect alpine temperatures to approach 0C Saturday with a strong solar component. A light Northerly flow is expected for the next few days with no precipitation.

Snowpack Summary

Vermillion study plot (W of divide in a deeper snowpack area) near treeline showed no results in compression tests. HS 140cm. Inversion starting at treeline causing moist snow on solar aspects above the fog line. Surface hoar to 12mm growing in sheltered areas. In thin snowpack areas, biggest concern is triggering basal depth hoar/crust.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed in the last 24 hours.

Confidence

on Saturday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Triggering of the basal depth hoar/crust will be most likely from thin snowpack areas. These are harder to trigger now, but if you hit the "sweet spot", the avalanche will be full depth and large consequence.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Inverted temperatures at upper elevations could cause loose wet avalanches. This will be possible from very steep, sunny terrain which is sheltered from the wind.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 25th, 2014 4:00PM