Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 17th, 2017 4:00PM

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

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

We are on the cusp of change. Wind slabs are just starting to develop in alpine lee areas.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light precip (up to 10cm) and continued moderate wind from the west will persist through Monday and into Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to be seasonal.

Snowpack Summary

Very thin wind slabs now cover the mix of sun crust, facets, wind slab and surface hoar depending on the aspect and elevation. The main features in the snowpack are the Nov 27th and Nov 23rd crusts down 10-40cm, and the Halloween crust/facet layer sitting 30-50 cm above the ground, which have been dormant recently.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported in the past several days.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs are just starting to develop in lee alpine areas. Touchiness will depend locally on snow amounts and wind velocity.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 18th, 2017 4:00PM