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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 31st, 2024–Jan 1st, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Little Yoho.

We have separated this small zone from the rest of the Banff, Yoho & Kootenay forecast region because the snowpack is stronger here, and the conditions are better. There is a lot of storm snow here, so watch for sluffing and even a hint of wind which will quickly develop windslabs. Ease into things; conditions are good but not perfect.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Our field team near Emerald Lake observed Dry Loose avalanches up to size 2 running out of steep alpine terrain in the Emerald Basin. No other avalanche observations were reported.

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm unconsolidated storm snow has fallen over the past five days, with very little wind. This overlies a 100-120 cm snowpack with a strong mid-pack but a weak crust/facet layer near the ground. The distribution and strength of this layer varies, but conditions in the deeper snowpack of the Little Yoho region are better than areas further east in BYK. With the amount of snow available for transport, expect conditions to change quickly with any wind loading.

Weather Summary

Generally stable weather is forecast for the next few days, as a weak ridge of high pressure exits the region resulting in overcast skies, cool temperatures and light, but continuous snow in the west. Expect up to10 cm of new snow, temperatures in the -5 to -12 range and SW winds ranging from light to moderate (20-30 km/hr). Looking ahead towards the weekend, temperatures will dip below -20.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.

Problems

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.