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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 8th, 2013–Dec 9th, 2013

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Cold temperatures continue to be the major factor affecting the snowpack. Overall the snowpack is relatively weak and shallow with deep basal facets. Early season hazards such as stumps and rocks are near the surface and careful travel is advised.

Weather Forecast

The cold temperatures are beginning to moderate however they remain in the low teens for the next couple of days with Moderate NW winds.  A few more clouds and some light flurries are expected by Tuesday but still little in the way of snow accumulation.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is generally weak, facetted and shallow with little recent changes due to the cold temperatures. 60-70cm of snow exists at tree line.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity observed in the last several days.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.