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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 16th, 2021–Dec 17th, 2021
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Great skiing conditions continue with good snow coverage and reduced avalanche hazard. We are still watching for wind loading in steep alpine terrain, and keeping an eye on both the basal facets and Dec 2 crust as the snowpack develops.

Weather Forecast

Light NW winds, cold temperatures (below -20 C) and no new snow expected on Friday. There may be a slight inversion in the alpine. Saturday brings increasing winds and some additional snow but amounts are uncertain.

Snowpack Summary

15-25 cm of low density surface snow with limited wind slab development in the alpine. There is a Dec 2 rain crust present below 2200 m and down 40-60 cm with facets above and below which will be one to watch in the future. The Nov 5 crust/facet interface is found near the base of the snowpack. Snowpack depths at treeline are from 120 to 180 cm.

Avalanche Summary

Local ski areas had explosive controlled wind slabs up to size 2 in steep alpine features and were able to ski cut small lee loaded features. A size 3.5 natural avalanche failing on glacier ice above the Bow Hut approach occurred in the last 24 hrs. This appeared to be triggered by wind loading and shows some of the uncertainty in the snowpack.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Only a few small wind triggered natural avalanches have been observed over the past several days but human triggering is still possible in some steep lee areas.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2