Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
The snowpack is generally thin and weak throughout the region. Though recent avalanche activity has subsided. The deep persistent problem remains a real concern in the snowpack. Approach avalanche terrain cautiously.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed or reported today.
Snowpack Summary
Generally, the snowpack is weak and faceted. Small wind slabs are present in the Alpine. Below 1700m thin surface crust has formed on southerly aspects. The Dec 17 layer is down 25-50 cm and the Nov 16 deep persistent layer is 40-90 cm. Both of these layers continue to produce sudden failures in snowpack tests. In deeper snowpack areas like Little Yoho these two layers are deeper and more spread apart in the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Cloudy skies and flurries will continue Monday with minimal snow accumulation. Winds will gradually increase 30 to 40 KM/H from the Southwest at ridge top. Expect some wind loading on lee aspects where snow is available for transport.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
The lower snowpack is comprised of weak facets and depth hoar with the upper snowpack forming a 40 to 90cm thick slab above. This weak basal layer is uniform across most of the forecasting region and has been responsible for most of the avalanche activity to date this season.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Wind Slabs
Recent Moderate to Strong winds have created small wind slabs in the alpine. This problem is specific to immediate lee slope, and likely reactive to human triggering.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5