Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 24th, 2019 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
stephen holeczi,
Parks Canada
Controlling the urge to ski the fresh powder on big features will be the most important factor to avoiding an avalanche incident. Stick to lower angled slopes with little overhead hazard. There have been a few close calls already.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Temperatures will stay cool Wednesday and Thursday with lows in the -15 to -20C range. Light winds and mainly clear skies for the next 2 days.
Snowpack Summary
30-60cm of settled storm snow has formed storm slabs all elevations and aspects. Below the new snow the snowpack structure is generally weak, consisting of facets and depth hoar and a Nov crust up to 2500m. These weak layers are getting overloaded with all of the new snow.
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanche activity to size 3 on all aspects and elevations has slowed from a few days ago. Explosive control today continued to produce large avalanches to size 3 running full path. A skier triggered a sz. 1.5 in West Bowl outside Lake Louise ski resort yesterday, and today a group triggered a sz. 2.5 in the same spot which went to ground..
Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs continue to be reactive. Natural activity has lessened but the likelihood of triggering an avalanche is high.
- If triggered the storm slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The weak, faceted mid and lower pack is overloaded by the new storm snow at all elevations. If you trigger the deep facets it will result in a very large avalanche.
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 25th, 2019 4:00PM
