Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 22 – 23, 2015Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Enjoy the great ski conditions over the Christmas Holidays!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Isolated slabs soft slabs are present in immediate lee areas in the alpine. Fragile cornices have also been reported.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    The slab above this layer has not been very reactive recently however snow pack tests continue to produce sudden shears in some areas. Dig down to identify and test this layer before committing to in steep, open or convex terrain below tree line.

Weather Forecast

A westerly flow with light alpine winds continues through Tuesday and Wednesday with clearing skies and only trace amounts of snow. Temps will drop with highs near -4'C and lows of -17'C at tree line on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of recent snow with Light to Moderate SW winds has formed isolated wind slabs in immediate lee areas in the alpine. The Dec 3 surface hoar is 40 to 70cm deep. Shears persist on this layer in some locations between 1700 and 2150m, however it is becoming less reactive in most places.

Avalanche Summary

Some small loose dry avalanches have been observed in very steep alpine terrain. Local ski areas were able to trigger small wind slabs up to size 1 in the alpine with avalanche control. No new natural slab avalanches have been observed. 

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Regions covered