Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 30 – 31, 2013Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Strong NW winds are forecasted to blow tonight, causing the danger to rise on Wed. In sheltered areas, and areas with insufficient new snow to blow around, the danger rating may be lower.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Forecasted strong NW winds will create soft and hard slabs in areas where there is sufficient new snow to blow around (mainly in the southern and western parts of the forecast region).

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Hard slabs from previous high winds have been buried by recent storm snow. These slabs have been unreactive to skier triggering, but new wind loading may awaken them.

Weather Forecast

A northwesterly flow is bringing thin overcast skies, light precip and moderate to strong NW winds throughout the forecast period. Temperatures will gradually warm with alpine highs in the -5/-10 range and lows in the -10/-15 range.

Snowpack Summary

In alpine there is 20-25 cm of recent storm snow sitting on previous hard wind slabs and wind pressed snow. Some soft slab development in lee terrain near ridge tops. In shallow snow pack areas the mid-pack is facetting and losing strength.

Avalanche Summary

Forecasters observed a size 2 naturally triggered avalanche on a N aspect around 2300m on the Sunshine road. This avalanche was likely triggered by a cornice fall and likely occurred within the last 24 hours.

Confidence

Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Wednesday

Regions covered