Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 15th, 2013 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Alpine lee areas are becoming loaded from recent strong wind. A small avalanche cycle has subsequently ensued. See photo of preserved surface hoar (Jan 6 layer). en francais

Summary

Weather Forecast

Warm temps and strong winds from the NW will increase the danger rating to considerable tomorrow. The winds will subside and then pick up again on Thursday. However, at this time much of the snow will have already been transported.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50cm of snow sit over the Jan 6th interface. Today, in Kootenay, the Jan 6 interface was well preserved surface hoar between 3 to 5mm in size. Snowpack tests provided easy shears. The slab characteristics were 'sudden planar', or rather, the column popped out like a cash register drawer. No other significant shears were noted.

Avalanche Summary

Several avalanches were observed in the alpine from recent wind loading from the NW. These observations included Mt. Hector, Observation Peak as well as other locations. The avalanches were between size 1.5 and 2.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent wind loading have created new wind slabs, predominantly in the alpine. They will certainly be reactive to riders and climbers.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Beware of open areas at tree-line. Surface hoar is well preserved in sporadic locations. See picture from our Vermillion study plot.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Jan 16th, 2013 4:00PM