Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 16th, 2015 4:28PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs.

Stephen Holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Great early season conditions continue, and its a good time to poke out into bigger terrain at higher elevations. Continue to be curious of where the surface hoar exists below treeline, and if there is a slab on top you can trigger. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure dominates the area through Friday. Friday afternoon 7-15 cm is forecast for the region accompanied by mainly light winds with stronger gusts.Â This may increase alpine hazard in the short term for Saturday if it comes to fruition.

Snowpack Summary

In sheltered terrain between 1700 and 2150m, 30-40 cm of snow sits over the December 3rd surface hoar. Easy to moderate shears found on this interface. No other significant shears have been observed in the snowpack. There is approximately 1 meter of snow at treeline,

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A 30-40cm soft slab sits over the Dec 3 surface hoar in an elevation band between 1700 and 2150m. Continue to treat all steep open slopes below treeline with suspicion until you can rule out this weak layer.

Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 17th, 2015 4:00PM