Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 28th, 2012 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Mainly stable conditions, especially W of the divide in deeper snowpack areas. East of the Divide, more variability exists in thinner snowpack areas. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light N to NW winds and a stable, clearing trend for the next 3 days. Freezing levels will remain at valley bottom through this time.

Snowpack Summary

Profile at 2140m in Kootenay found HS 140-150 with no compression results. 30cm low density on settled midpack in that area. The basal Nov.6 crust W of divide less visible and is bonded very well. On thin areas E of the divide the crust is facetting and weakening. Windslabs 20-40cm thick to 1 finger stiffness found on lees of ridges in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche observations in the last 24 hours. Mainly stable snowpack at the moment, especially West of the divide.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Wind Slabs

A storm on December 23 dropped between 15 to 30 cm of low density snow over the forecast region. Variable� winds have created some wind slabs within the storm snow at ridge top elevations.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 29th, 2012 4:00PM