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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 31st, 2020–Jan 1st, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

As the winds pick up Thursday night, so too will the avalanche hazard. A storm arriving Friday afternoon could bring a major shake-up to the snowpack through the weekend... Stay tuned...

Weather Forecast

As a trough slides through the Prairies, winds will increase through the region Thursday night with the potential for trace amounts of new snow. Midday Friday increasing West winds will mark the arrival of a significant storm from the Pacific. Temperatures will rise to near zero degrees C at valley bottom and the intensity of snowfall will build.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface conditions are soft, dry snow with isolated areas of wind effect at high elevations. The Dec 13 and Dec 7 sun crust/surface hoar/facet layers are down ~ 50cm and ~80 cm respectively and are strengthening. The decomposing Nov crust/facets sits at the bottom of the snowpack. Height of snow at tree line is 120-170cm.

Avalanche Summary

A size 1.5 skier triggered slab was reported on a south facing aspect at treeline on Hector South. A size 2 cornice fall was noticed on Mt Rundle this morning.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.