Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 5th, 2013 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Cold temperatures are the major factor effecting the snowpack today. The snowpack can be characterized as relatively shallow early season conditions with a deep persistent basal weakness. JBW

Summary

Weather Forecast

Keep your woolies. It will not really warm up until the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Very cold temperatures mean not much active is happening in the snowpack. The surface and basal layers will continue to facet.

Avalanche Summary

No new activity. A full depth size 2 release on a steep planar NW feature at 2400m on Copper Mtn was observed yesterday. Likely northerly winds and cross loading across this slope with the coming of the arctic front were the trigger.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The basal weakness of depth hoar or crust is the major weakness in the snowpack and any avalanche will likely fail on, or step down to this layer. Triggering on steep open slopes is still possible.

Avoid open slopes with any steepness over 40 degrees.Avoid unsupported slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recent storm snow was moved around by northerly winds and isolated wind slabs can be found on all aspects at and above treeline. Use caution in steeper wind effected areas.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 6th, 2013 4:00PM