Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 29th, 2012 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, 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 exist, but it is still an early season snowpack. Avoid areas of wind slab in very steep, high alpine terrain, and thin areas along the front ranges. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light NW winds, no new snow, and mainly clear skies Sunday (valley cloud W of divide) with the trend continuing through the forecast period. Freezing levels to valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs in alpine ridgetop featuresÂ stubborn to unreactive 20-40cm thick from field reports and local ski hill operations..Â W of divide well settled snowpack in deeper locations with basal Nov6 crust well bonded.Â Front ranges E of divide mainly facetted snowpack, with the Nov6 basal crust being mainly facetted.Â

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches reported in the last 24 hours from numerous areas and operations. A report on the Wapta from Friday saw several large cornice failures in high alpine terrain which caused either no result or sloughing.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Sunday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Reports are showing windslabs created in the last week are stubborn to unreactive on lee ridgetop features. Most likely triggerable in aggressive, steep, lee terrain near ridgetops.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 30th, 2012 4:00PM