Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 23 – 24, 2018Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Extensive wind effect can be found in open areas. We are slowly gaining confidence with the snowpack, but a cautious approach to terrain is important as large avalanches are still possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3
    A strong upper snowpack overlies three weak layers in the mid snowpack: Jan 16, Jan 6, and Dec 15. All are a mix of sun crust, surface hoar and facets depending on location, and we are slowly gaining confidence with these layers.

Weather Forecast

The arctic ridge starts to break down Friday over the area with increasing cloud but still cold conditions for Friday.  Winds will increase to moderate/strong above 3000m but will stay light at valley bottom.  Some light snow over the weekend with 5-10cm at treeline by Sunday evening and slightly warmer (but not warm!) temperatures. 

Snowpack Summary

The upper pack consists of settling storm snow with extensive wind effect in open areas. This overlies the mid-pack where there are three weak layers that are gaining strength. These layers continue to produce moderate, sudden planar test results on surface hoar in deep tap tests, and hard to no results with standard compression tests.

Avalanche Summary

A couple of wind slabs in steep terrain were reported and were suspected to be in the last 24-36 hours, 1 triggering a deeper slab. No other reports of avalanches in the last 24 hours with good visibility.

Confidence

Regions covered