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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 31st, 2017–Jan 1st, 2018
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 Yoho Kootenay.

The ski quality has improved but the chance of triggering a loose dry avalanche has increased.

Weather Forecast

The cold snap is coming to an end. Temperatures will begin to warm on Monday, with freezing levels by mid week forecasted to reach 1800m. Winds are expected to increase with values in the moderate to strong range Monday.

Snowpack Summary

15-40cm of recent snow overlies a thick layer of facets formed earlier in Dec. Below this the Dec.15 layer of surface hoar (below 2100m) and hard surfaces or facets (depending on location) is down 30-50cm. Below is a generally supportive snow pack with multiple crusts, that is slowly weakening. Some alpine wind slab formation starting to happen.

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry avalanche's continue to be the main type of activity in the forecast region, ranging in size1-1.5 with a few to size 2. Most observations reported initiation from extreme terrain, running far into the tracks. These avalanches are easy to initiate in steep terrain and can be very hazardous in confined spaces like gullies or terrain traps.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Dry

The cold temperatures have facetted the surface snow, and once initiated these sluffs can pick up mass and travel far. A heads up for big sluffs if you are climbing in gullies with steep terrain above, or skiing steep lines.
The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

So far these are small in size as they are just forming, but most wind slabs formed will be lying over facets and may run far.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2