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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2021–Dec 23rd, 2021

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Wind slab development continues with strong winds and new snow forecasted. On Christmas Eve we slide into a period of dangerously cold temperatures for the foreseeable future....

Weather Forecast

Moderate to strong SW winds are forecasted to continue as a low pressure system pulls away from the region delivering 5-15 cm overnight, and possibly another 10 on Thursday as a cold front passes mid-day tomorrow. Behind the cold front, temperatures will drop and winds will ease. Fri-Sat cold arctic air becomes entrenched (highs in the minus 20's)

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds with up to 20 cm tonight and Thurs will contribute to the windslab problem, most notably around Louise & Hwy93N. There is 40-60 cm over the Dec 2 rain crust (exists below 2200m) but is not yet active. We are monitoring it closely. The lower snowpack is well settled but shallow areas (<100 cm) may still have a DPS issue near the ground.

Avalanche Summary

Both SSV and LL ski area report thin wind slab formation from strong winds on Wednesday to size 1.5. Also noted a ~3 day old unusual size 2 avalanche at 2000m on Tumbling Peak in a very shallow snowpack area. Looked like someone may have taken a nasty ride.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.