Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 19 – 20, 2019Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watch for windslabs in alpine lee areas and loose dry avalanches in steep terrain. Ski quality is currently excellent.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    New snow and some light North wind have created new soft wind slabs. These slabs have yet to produce anything larger than a size 2.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5
    A sustained period of cold weather has driven the faceting process in the upper snowpack creating weak, dry surface snow. In steep terrain, these are sensitive to small natural and human triggers and can quickly gain enough mass to affect travelers.

Weather Forecast

A slight increase in cloud and wind (up to moderate west) is expected for Tuesday and Wednesday. Some light flurries forecasted on Tuesday with 1-2cm of accumulation. Temperatures will stay civilized for the next few days with day time highs to -5.  Overall, minimal weather inputs that will impact the danger rating. 

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of snow has fallen since Feb 2. This has been affected by variable winds, isolated periods of solar radiation and most notably, sustained cold temperatures promoting faceting. Down 30 to 75cm, Jan 17 surface hoar produces sudden planar shears in isolated locations treeline an below. A weak basal snowpack exists in shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

Several reports of both skier triggered wind slabs and loose dry avalanches have been noted this past week. Generally these avalanches have been small (size1-2) but have been running far, entraining the loose faceted surface snow.

Confidence

Regions covered