Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 7 – 8, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

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.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    New snow and moderate wind from the West have started to create wind slabs in alpine lee areas. Expect these wind slabs to be reactive to skier traffic tomorrow.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Steep gully features with shallow snow packs are the likely areas to run into this problem.

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

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