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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 24th, 2023–Dec 25th, 2023

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Wind loaded features are still sensitive to human triggering and should be treated with caution. Remain aware of these slopes above your head or below you feet.

With long nights and cold temperatures on deck, be warry of getting caught out.

Happy Holidays from the Banff Visitor Safety Team!

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

The wind slab problem is still sensitive to human triggering, as a party had a close call at Bow Summit.

Ski hill snow safety teams reported a few size 1-1.5 wind slabs as a result of explosives and ski-cutting work in alpine features and there was an isolated report of a natural loose dry avalanche in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Recently formed wind slabs can be found in lee aspects at tree line and in the alpine, 5 - 20cm thick. 15-50 cm of snow sits over the Dec 5 rain crust that exists as high as 2300 m, and is more prevalent in the southern part of the forecast area. The base of the snowpack is a mix of weak basal facets and a spotty crust from late Oct. Treeline snow depths range from 50-95 cm. Many early-season hazards still exist.

Weather Summary

An approaching system will bring increasing cloud to the Alberta Rockies. There is a chance of snow over portions of the Rockies north of Lake Louise overnight. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will persist at strong to extreme strength. The overnight low in the alpine is expected to be -20C and the alpine is forecast to hit -10C.

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.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.