Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 21st, 2019 4:11PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Parks Canada Benjamin Firth, Parks Canada

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Avoid avalanche terrain at all elevations. Hwy 93N and Maligne Road will remain closed Sunday and potentially into Monday due to avalanche control

Summary

Weather Forecast

Precipitation will trail off over Saturday night and temperatures will cool. Expect a clearing trend into Sunday and Monday with very light winds from the West.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 100cm new snow in the last 48 hours with very little wind effect. This overlies wind slab and a variety of weak layers near the ground.

Avalanche Summary

Widespread avalanche activity on all aspects and elevations up to size 3.0. Many dry loose avalanches below treeline and above, numerous storm slab avalanches below treeline and above. Several avalanches stepped down to weaknesses near the ground. Much of the alpine was obscured today but it is expected that many avalanches occurred on all aspects

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Sunday

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs

Up to 100cms of new snow has fallen in the last 48 hours. Expect many soft slab avalanches on all aspects and elevations up to size 3 Sunday

  • If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from wind and new snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely - Certain

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

A significant amount of snow has accumulated on steep features

  • If triggered dry loose point releases can form deeper deposits in terrain traps.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Dry loose and storm slab avalanches may step down to weak layers close to the ground producing large avalanches

  • If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2019 4:00PM