Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 2 – 3, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

While conditions are improving, watch for wind slabs in alpine lee areas. Avoid steep and confined terrain features due to the possibility of loose dry avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Because of surface faceting they have the potential to run far. LLSA area report very small and thin windslabs that are variable in distribution on Jan 1, 2018.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    The cold temperatures have facetted the surface snow, and once initiated sluffs can pick up mass and travel far. Big sluffs are possible if you are climbing in gullies with steep terrain above, or skiing steep lines.

Weather Forecast

The cold snap is coming to an end. Temperatures are starting to warm, with freezing levels by mid week forecasted to reach 1800m. Winds are not expected to be as strong as originally forecasted.

Snowpack Summary

15-40cm of recent snow overlies a thick layer of facets formed earlier in Dec. Below this the Dec.15 layer of surface hoar (below 2100m) and hard surfaces or facets (depending on location) is down 30-50cm. Below is a generally supportive snow pack with multiple crusts, that is slowly weakening. Some alpine wind slab formation starting to happen.

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanche's continue to be the main type of activity in the forecast region, ranging in size1-1.5 with a few to size 2. Most observations reported initiation from extreme terrain, running far into the tracks. These avalanches are easy to initiate in steep terrain and can be very hazardous in confined spaces like gullies or terrain traps.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Tuesday

Regions covered