Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2014 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Watch for new windslabs in open lee areas. Increased load on the deep persistent instability may result in a full depth avalanche.

Summary

Weather Forecast

10 to 15 cm of snow and strong winds are forecast for the area. This should raise the avalanche danger rating in the short term.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine and at treeline, increasing snowfall and steady winds will create new windslab in open areas. At the bottom of the snowpack large facets with disintegrating raincrust provides a base that is prone to collapse. Below treeline, a solid shallow snowpack will take a while to bond to new snow.

Avalanche Summary

No natural avalanche activity was noted.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Natural avalanche activity has subsided but snowpack tests show that the weak facets at the basal level continue to be the big issue. The slab that rests on this weak structure may indicate some strength in places but in fact very little has changed.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

New snow and high winds will increase the hazard in open lee areas.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2014 4:00PM