Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 26 – 27, 2011Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 15 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Up to 20cm in the alpine possible by Boxing Day morning. Good for skiers, bad for climbers. A break from the snow Monday may tempt users to explore the big, steep places, but now is not the time. The consequences of causing a slide would be large. SH

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Boxing day will see increased westerly winds up high, which form soft wind slabs in exposed areas, and near ridge tops. These will be easy for a climber or skier to trigger in steep terrain, and could step down to the deeper, weaker basal layer.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    These are becoming harder to trigger, but light loads can still cause avalanches on the basal depth hoar/October rain crust. The most sensitive trigger points are thin or crossloaded slopes. Stick to moderate angled areas with a thicker snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Regions covered