Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 11th, 2014 5:09PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and freezing levels around 1700 m for Thursday night. Friday is mainly cloudy with a gradual cooling trend throughout the day. By Saturday freezing levels will be at valley bottom. Winds will switch from strong SW on Thursday night to light from the north on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Strong southwest winds have strippedÂ windward aspects and created fresh wind slabs in lee terrain at treeline and above locations. Mild temperatures have promoted settlement in upper pack, but lower basal layers remain weak and facetted.

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of a small cycle in Yoho Park at and below treeline due to Wednesdays warm temperatures and rain. A fresh slab in past 24 hours was observed on the east side of Mt. Victoria. (2900 m, size 2.5, 200m wide, approx 50 cm deep).

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong southwest winds have stripped windward areas and created fresh wind slabs in lee terrain at and above treeline. These windslabs are reactive to skier triggering.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Snowpack tests show that the weak facets at the base of the snowpack continue to be a concern.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 12th, 2014 4:00PM