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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 26th, 2023–Dec 27th, 2023
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
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, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.

Continued strong SW winds are taking their toll on an already thin snowpack. Use caution in wind-loaded features and areas with weak basal facets where human triggering is possible.

2023 has been mild and dry so far, fingers crossed for some snow in 2024!

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wind loading and the deep persistent facets contributed to a close call near Bow Summit on Dec 23rd.

The Lake Louise ski hill snow safety team triggered several small windslabs in lee alpine terrain on Tuesday Dec. 26th.

Snowpack Summary

Wind effect and isolated hard windslabs can be found in the alpine and in isolated spots at treeline from continued moderate to strong SW winds. In sheltered areas at treeline and below, surface hoar and facetted snow sits over two distinct rain crusts in the upper snowpack.

The base of the snowpack is a mix of weak facets, depth hoar and a decomposing Oct crust. Low elevations consist of a re-frozen previously wet snowpack.

Treeline snow depths range from 50-95 cm.

Weather Summary

Mild, dry and windy is the name of the game over the next few days:

Wed: Winds moderate to strong from the SW. Possible above freezing layer between 2500m and 2700m breaking down by the evening.

Thurs & Friday: Strong W-SW winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom.

For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avalanche hazard may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Continued strong W through S winds have scoured much of the alpine and created isolated wind slabs over the past few days. If triggered, these wind slabs could step down to the deep persistent problem.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The bottom layers of the snowpack are facetted and weak in most areas. Given the unpredictable nature of this problem, use caution when venturing on to any steeper slope with consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5