Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Jan 26 – 27, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The hazard is still elevated W of the divide, where fresh wind slabs are sitting over hard surfaces in the alpine.SH

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2
    Soft wind slabs up to 40cm thick have formed mainly along and W of the divide in exposed terrain.  Areas E of the divide have seen light snow and only very thin slab formation. Watch for the bond between these slabs and the hard surfaces below.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2
    These hard slabs have been unreactive in the last few days.  Triggering is still possible from thin snowpack areas in steep terrain where these sit over facets.

Weather Forecast

Moderate NW winds Saturday and valley bottom freezing levels.  Only a trace of snow expected tomorrow throughout the forecast region.  Another pulse of snow is currently being forecast starting midday Monday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm in last 48 hrs along and W of the divide, with lesser amounts to the E.  Soft wind slabs are sitting on previous hard wind slabs in the alpine.  Mainly facetted midpack in thin snowpack areas.  Jan 6 surface hoar can be found in various locations down approx.30 cm producing mod. compression results in the sunshine study plot today.

Avalanche Summary

Sunshine village saw ski cutting on reloaded bed surfaces today to size 1 in isolated alpine features.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Friday

Regions covered