Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 1st, 2013 4:14PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Dry and Wind Slabs.

conrad janzen, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Ice climbers should pay attention to local snowfall amounts and wind loading especially on the Eastern slopes of the park over the next 24 hrs. In the main ranges the snowpack remains shallow with plenty of early season hazards below the surface. CJ

Summary

Weather Forecast

Most of the forecast precipitation over the next 24 hrs looks like it will occur on the Eastern slopes of park with only light accumulations in the main ranges.Â Strong NW winds are forecast with the arrival of the arctic air on Tuesday, then cold and clear weather for the rest of the week.

Snowpack Summary

A few cm's of new snow in the alpine. On alpine lee features the snowpack consists of wind slabs over a weak mid-pack with a very weak base of facets. The Oct 27 crust on N-NE aspects in the alpine is breaking down, but is still a sliding layer near ground. On average at treeline there is 70 cm of snow, barely blanketing the rocks and stumps.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity over the last 72 hours.Â Areas that do receive significant amounts of snow in the next 24hours will likely have sluffing and wind slab activity.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Problems

Loose Dry

Areas that do receive significant precipitation in the next 24 hours will see sluffing in steep alpine terrain. This will likely be limited to the Eastern slopes and mostly a concern for ice climbers.

The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Lee alpine slopes have lingering wind slabs that may be reactive to skier traffic. Probe for evidence of wind slabs over weak facets and use caution in this type of terrain. Areas that receive significant snow will also have new wind slabs forming.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 2nd, 2013 4:00PM