Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Ice climber avalanche involvement today (see table).Things are slowly changing. The surface layer during this 3 week drought is now buried. We are calling this layer Jan 6. It is a mix of surface hoar and facets. This will be one to monitor.
Weather Forecast
A strong system is expected to reach the forecast are by Tuesday night. Up to 30mm of precipitation can be expected, fair confidence. This will dramatically raise the avalanche danger rating. Until then, expect moderate W wind and light accumulations until Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
Between 5 and 20cm of very low density snow fell last night and into today. The was virtually no wind affect at tree line today in the Little Yoho and Highway 93 South areas. There were limited observations in the alpine, however, it suspected that winds have started to create soft slabs, and avalanche activity should be expected.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche 1: Purple Bowl, Size 2, natural cause, no involvement.Avalanche 2: Pilsner Piller, Size 2, natural cause, one climber was hit while leading the ice climb. Miraculously, he held on, his partner was unaffected. VERY close call. Parks Canada responded and confirmed this account with the climbers. Photos are available on our facebook page.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.