Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 26th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Small inputs of wind and snow over the next 3 days will maintain the current danger ratings.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light amounts of precip amounting up to 10cm is expected over the next few days. Steady moderate west winds are expected throughout the same period at the 3000m level.

Snowpack Summary

In general, 10-30 cm sits over the very weak Dec.19th facets. However, slabs up to 60cm have been observed over this same layer at high elevations. The Nov crust is 30-80cm deep. While it is not currently producing avalanches, we expect it to do so with more snow load.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous size 1.5 avalanches were observed between Bow Summit and Lake Louise on peaks such as Observation and Crowfoot. These slides appeared to be 24-48 hours old.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Up to 30cm of recent new snow from last week sits on top of a layer of facets (Dec 19 layer). The interface between the new and old snow is poorly bonded, resulting in many recent avalanches.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 27th, 2016 4:00PM