Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Wind initiated natural avalanche activity could increase Saturday, as Extreme winds dominate the forecast region.
Weather Forecast
A dominant Westerly flow will bring strong to extreme winds to the forecast region this weekend. This will bring a slightly cooler air mass resulting in freezing levels staying near valley bottom. Over the weekend we will see overcast skies and light precipe.
Snowpack Summary
10-15 settled hst with wind over the past few days has added to windslabs at treeline and above. These overlie facets in many places, producing moderate test results. The Dec. 2 crust and facets are generally 60-90cm deep in the snowpack. Some thin snowpack areas have lingering basal depth hoar and facets.
Avalanche Summary
Friday a skier triggered a size 2.5 in the LL backcountry, the skier was almost fully buried and suffered a significant leg injury. The avalanche was initiated on the Dec 2nd persistent problem. On Wednesday, a skier remote size 3 was triggered in Kootenay. It stepped down to the same layer. Activity has increased on this layer with warming temps.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Windslabs are prevalent in alpine and some treeline terrain which may overly facets. In some circumstances these have been enough to initiate deeper layers in the snowpack.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
The Dec 2 crust and facets down 60-90cm have become more active in the region. If initiated, they can produce large avalanches. It has been most active below 2000m in Kootenay, but has also been reported in other shallow areas East of the divide.
- Forecasters are operating with alot of uncertainty at this time.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3