Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 9th, 2016 6:01PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.

Conrad Janzen, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Make sure you evaluate the November 12 crust carefully prior to committing to bigger slopes.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The cold weather is expected to continue with only a slight increase in temperatures expected over the next few days. A few flurries are expected over the weekend along the divide with light to moderate alpine winds out of the West. Dress warm!!!

Snowpack Summary

Small wind slabs found in isolated alpine areas. 30-80 cm of settled snow over the November 12 crust. Stability tests on this crust are mixed, ranging from no results to easy results. This crust is more reactive in the Lake Louise area on southerly aspects above treeline. Rapid faceting and weakening of the snowpack with the cold temperatures.

Avalanche Summary

A few small loose dry avalanches observed in steep terrain Friday as the surface snow facets and weakens. Several recent natural and skier triggered slab avalanches have been observed on southerly aspects in the alpine running on the November 12 crust.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The dominant issue in the snowpack is the November 12 crust (down 30-70 cm). This crust is evident throughout the region and has started to become reactive especially on South aspects just above tree line.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 10th, 2016 4:00PM