Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 26th, 2017 4:00PM

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

Lisa Paulson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The hazard has improved, but it will still wise to stick to conservative choices for sometime given the weak snowpack structure.

Summary

Weather Forecast

There is no new snow in the near-term weather forecast, as a ridge of high pressure remains stationary over the central rockies. Some cloud cover may appear, but no precipitation is expected and temperatures on Friday will range from -5 to -10 and light to moderate W winds.

Snowpack Summary

In many areas, the surface snow remain unaffected by wind and overlies a generally weak and facetted mid-pack and base - particularly in the Lake Louise area and on the east side of Hwy 93 north. Closer to the divide, the deeper snowpacks are stronger and more supportive. Surface hoar up to 10mm continues to grow on the snow surface.

Avalanche Summary

Out of 24 shots in the Kootenay highway pathsÂ only 1 size 3 was triggered from the top of Mt. Whymper sliding on a layer near ground.Â Only 1 natural was observed on a North aspect where a cornice failure triggered a size 2 slab in the past 2 days.Â Despite the encouraging results, little confidence in the overall weak snowpack structure remains.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Because the snowpack is so weak, we don't trust any avalanche starting zones. Avoid steep areas where avalanches can start, and think carefully if you cross tracks or run out zones. Continued conservative choices will remain important for some time.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 27th, 2017 4:00PM