Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 2 – 3, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 15 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Resist the lure of the fresh powdered slopes, explosive work today indicates the surface wind slabs are still touchy and digging down to deeper weaknesses. Control Planned for Mount Bourgeau tomorrow, please no outdoor activities in that area.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Explosive work confirmed this layer is still touchy and propagating far, results to size 3 in the Vermillion and Bosworth paths. Slabs are up to 1.5 m deep.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    The December 10 surface hoar (5-7 mm) is down approximately 70-115 cm. The distribution of this layer is spotty throughout our region (Whymper, Takakkaw Falls, Sunshine). The smaller of the 2 paths that affect the Healy trail went naturally size 3.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Some areas are scoured but as the west winds pick up tomorrow and through the week, expect sporadic large naturals with continued wind loading. Surface windslabs can hold enough volume to trigger the deeper weakness.

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Regions covered