Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 22 – 23, 2015Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The weaker basal depth hoar/facets aren't going anywhere in a hurry. We still have low confidence in shallow or variable snowpack areas. Travel conditions are excellent. SH

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Be cautious near ridge-crests and in lee areas. These seem to be isolated to the Icefields Parkway region (found on Observation sub-peak Saturday). These will be a short term problem.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    The lower half of the snowpack is weak due to the presence of basal depth hoar and facet layers. Natural activity has ceased but skier triggering is still possible, especially in shallow areas and places where the snowpack is unevenly distributed.

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will start to creep up Sunday but we will stay in a light Northerly flow. A mild inversion (alpine temps still below freezing) will enter the region Sunday night into Monday with mainly sunny skies.

Snowpack Summary

A well settled upper snowpack with highly variable depths sits over the ever present weak facets and depth hoar in the bottom half of the snowpack. Colder temperatures have helped the slab bridge over the weaker base. On Saturday, strong to extreme North winds up Hwy 93N formed thin wind slabs in the lees of ridge crests and gully features.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Regions covered