Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
Despite the strong feel to the upper snowpack, the threat of large avalanches remains a concern. Please continue to play safe.
Avalanche Problem 1: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid all avalanche terrain.
- Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.
Avalanche Problem 2: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Strong winds Thursday night created widespread wind effect in most areas above treeline. Hard wind slabs exist in the alpine lees.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanches activity observed Friday. Reports of small skier triggered wind slabs, isolated to ridge crest were noted by ski patrol.
Snowpack Summary
Windslabs are common in open areas with loading on easterly aspects. Commonly, a deep slab overlies midpack weaknesses of surface hoar, crusts, and facets. The depth of these slabs varies from 75 cm to 150 cm. These layers have been producing very large avalanches over the past week.
Weather Forecast
Gradual cooling trend through the weekend. Light precipitation is expected tonight with accumulated amounts of 5cm by Sunday.
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A 100-125cm dense slab of snow overlies three weak layers in the mid snowpack: Jan 16, Jan 6, and Dec 15. All are a mix of sun crust, surface hoar and facets depending on the aspect and elevation.