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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 8th, 2022–Dec 9th, 2022
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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.

We have a thinner snowpack than the last several years. Lot of early season hazards exist and there is a persistent weak layer that is giving us low confidence in the strength of the snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few small size 1 windslabs were triggered by snow safety teams in alpine terrain at Sunshine Village today. These were relatively easy to trigger but small in size. No other avalanches observed or reported on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

5-30cm of snow and wind over the last few days has formed small but reactive wind slabs at higher elevations. These sit on several weak layers including the basal facets/surface hoar/sun crust combo which we are calling the Nov. 16th interface. Average snowpack depths at treeline are 60 to 100 cm throughout the region.

Weather Summary

Moderate to strong S/SW winds are decreasing to light to moderate overnight and into Friday. Alpine temperatures will remain cool in the -10 to -15 range and light flurries can be expected over the next few days with only light accumulation of 1-5 cm by Sunday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A 20-60 cm slab sits over a persistent weak layer of basal facets, sun crusts, or isolated pockets of surface hoar depending on location. This layer has considerable uncertainty associated with it making it hard to forecast, and will be around for some time to come.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

5-30 cm of snow has fallen over the past few days and has been blown into soft wind slabs. These are relatively small but easy to trigger. Watch for these on the immediate lee side of ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5