Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Conditions are tricky right now! Avalanche control results today showed widespread explosive triggered avalanches between size 2 and 3 - some fracture lines propagated over 350 meters. Human triggering is likely, so manage your exposure carefully.
Weather Forecast
The region is currently under the influence of a NW flow, with the main storm track to our north. Starting Tuesday afternoon a system moves into the area and we can expect 5-10 cm through the afternoon and evening with temperatures around -5 and winds from the west, 25-50 km/hr.
Snowpack Summary
25-50 cm reactive slabs overlie the January 6 weak layer, and these slabs are reactive to explosive and human triggers. Their depth varies across the region, with Kootenay Park being the touchiest situation. The middle of the snowpack is facetted, which has been increasing the size of avalanches as they gain mass while descending.
Avalanche Summary
Monday's avalanche control work on highway 93 south resulted in widespread avalanches between size 2 and 3 with fracture lines ranging from 25-50 cm deep. In Kootenay Park, some fracture lines extended up to 350m wide and ran over 1500m.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.