Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 17 – 18, 2015Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Great early season conditions continue, and its a good time to poke out into bigger terrain at higher elevations. Continue to be curious of where the surface hoar exists below treeline, and if there is a slab on top you can trigger. SH

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    A 30-40cm soft slab sits over the Dec 3 surface hoar in an elevation band between 1700 and 2150m. Continue to treat all steep open slopes below treeline with suspicion until you can rule out this weak layer.

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure dominates the area through Friday. Friday afternoon 7-15 cm is forecast for the region accompanied by mainly light winds with stronger gusts.  This may increase alpine hazard in the short term for Saturday if it comes to fruition.

Snowpack Summary

In sheltered terrain between 1700 and 2150m, 30-40 cm of snow sits over the December 3rd surface hoar. Easy to moderate shears found on this interface. No other significant shears have been observed in the snowpack. There is approximately 1 meter of snow at treeline,

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Regions covered