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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 30th, 2024–Dec 31st, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.

Be careful on steep, thin and rocky terrain, wind-slabs and small avalanches could step down and trigger full depth avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise patrol threw 9 shots and did not get any results. Sunshine patrol got some small size 1 wind slabs with explosives. The Parks Canada field team did not observe any avalanches in the Mt. Field area in Yoho.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of recent storm snow sit on top of wind slabs formed by last week's strong W/SW winds in the alpine. The mid and lower snowpack is faceted and weak, with facet/crust interfaces near the ground. This is more pronounced east of the divide, while western regions display a deeper more settled snowpack. Snowpack depths at tree-line are about 60 cm in eastern areas and 100 cm west of the divide.

Weather Summary

A slight cooling trend is anticipated over the next couple of days, with temperatures reaching -8°C in the valley and -16°C at the ridge. Wind will remain light, coming from the West. Expect cloudy skies with very light snow accumulations on Tuesday and Wednesday, totaling less than 6 cm.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Weak facets and depth hoar near the base of the snowpack have caused avalanches 60-100 cm deep recently. A stiffer slab over the facetted snow can trigger larger avalanches that step down to the ground, especially on the eastern side of the region.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3