Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
The natural avalanche cycle is over but human triggered avalanches are still likely. Continue to practice conservative decision making.
Confidence
No Rating
Avalanche Summary
Good visibility today showed more evidence of the recent avalanche cycle from the past storm. This included numerous avalanches up to size 2.5 originating mostly in the alpine but also some treeline locations. On Saturday a size 2 skier triggered avalanche failed as a deep persistent slab at treeline and ran 600m scrubbing to ground.
No new natural avalanches have been observed in the past 24 hours
Snowpack Summary
Last week's storm snow has settled to 20-40cm over the Dec 2 weak layer which consists of the basal facets and surface hoar. A rain crust (1 to 7cm thick) exists within the storm snow up to 2300m on all aspects. The thickness of the rain crust tapers with increasing elevation. Click here for snow profile from Dolomite peak area that was done on Tuesday.
Weather Summary
Wednesday will bring increasing cloud and strong SW winds. Light snow will begin on Thursday with only 5 cm accumulation by the end of day. Freezing levels will be near valley bottom.
For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Lots of fresh snow available for transport and strong SW winds forecast for Wednesday will create reactive windslabs in alpine and exposed treeline terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
Surface windslab avalanches have the potential to step down to the basal facets resulting in larger full depth avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3