Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
Extensive wind effect can be found in open areas. We are slowly gaining confidence with the snowpack, but a cautious approach to terrain is important as large avalanches are still possible.
Avalanche Problem 1: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Avalanche Summary
A couple of wind slabs in steep terrain were reported and were suspected to be in the last 24-36 hours, 1 triggering a deeper slab. No other reports of avalanches in the last 24 hours with good visibility.
Snowpack Summary
The upper pack consists of settling storm snow with extensive wind effect in open areas. This overlies the mid-pack where there are three weak layers that are gaining strength. These layers continue to produce moderate, sudden planar test results on surface hoar in deep tap tests, and hard to no results with standard compression tests.
Weather Forecast
The arctic ridge starts to break down Friday over the area with increasing cloud but still cold conditions for Friday. Winds will increase to moderate/strong above 3000m but will stay light at valley bottom. Some light snow over the weekend with 5-10cm at treeline by Sunday evening and slightly warmer (but not warm!) temperatures.
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A strong upper snowpack 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 location, and we are slowly gaining confidence with these layers.