Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 17 – 18, 2012Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The winds have scoured open windward areas and created some thin fresh wind slabs. Otherwise the snow is generally stable. JBW

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    There are some freshly formed windslabs on lee terrain at and above treeline that are sensitive to skier triggering. In the right terrain these could take the skier into a terrain trap.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    We are seeing weakening of the Nov 6 crust in thinner areas due to facetting.� Although we haven't seen activity on this layer recently, it is still a prominent feature of the snow pack, and should be evaluated in bigger features.

Weather Forecast

A storm tracking along the US border will bring some snowfall and SW winds. We may see 10 cm over higher terrain Monday. Tuesday a short lived ridge will clear out the skies.

Snowpack Summary

Mod-Strong winds over the last 24 hrs have produced some thin fragile hard slabs on immediate lee terrain at and above treeline. Elsewhere the snowpack is weakening with facetting predominating, but there is still good midpack support. The Nov. Crust is giving inconsistent results as it is faceting.

Avalanche Summary

Some very small skier controlled slabs on north and east ridges with the new thin wind slab development, otherwise no new avalanches in the last 24 hrs.

Confidence

Regions covered