Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 21 – 22, 2018Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Moderate danger means heightened avalanche conditions where human triggered avalanches are possible. Be cautious when traveling in complex terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Recent winds and snow have formed slabs in immediate lees.  Pay attention to the surface texture and local wind transport as these will be the biggest indicator of their formation.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5
    The Dec 15 layer continues to cause some uncertainty with forecasters. Few avalanche observations have been reported on this instability, though widespread cracking and whumphing is still occurring when traveling in the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

Newly formed windslabs on immediate lees at alpine and treeline elevations. In sheltered areas the upper snowpack consist of 20-30cm of soft slab over the Jan 6 surface hoar, which has been reactive in test results. The Dec 15 layer is still a concern 40-60 cm down. Much of the snowpack is facetted with little structure below treeline.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today

Confidence

Weather Forecast

Highs of -5 to -8C at valley bottom and -10 to -12C  at upper elevations Sunday.  3000m winds will be strong from the SW and light at valley bottom.  Only a couple few cm of snow is expected along the divide and less to the East.

Regions covered