Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Storm day today with a wide range across the region; west and north of Lake Louise received twice as much snow as the Sunshine and Kootenay area. Limited observations today, but conditions are tricky for a few days so be super careful.
Weather Forecast
A strong SW flow over continues over the area, although the bulk of the moisture has passed. Expect another 5-10 cm by mid day Wednesday, then a clearing trend and wind following the storm. Temperatures will fall and perhaps even reach -20 by Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
15-30 cm of wet snow has been deposited on top of the Dec 8 layer of surface hoar, sun crust and facets and produces easy test results at the storm snow interface. This indicates a poor bond with the new snow. Over the next 24-hours this snow will settle into a more cohesive slab and the bond will not improve due to the weak layer.
Avalanche Summary
No observations above treeline today, but many sluffs observed coming down out of the fog. Low elevations to the west also had widespread, small slabs approximately 15-20 cm deep by 2-3 m wide. Watch out on gully walls ice climbers.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
There is a lot going on with this new snow, so be conservative and observe how it effects the snowpack. We have wind slab up high, storm slabs at and below treeline and lots of loose snow avalanches in cliffs and steep chutes. All on a PWL.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
The Nov 5 crust has facets above and below it, and exists up to 2500m on shady aspects and higher on solar aspects. No new observations since the storm, but we expect it may become more reactive with the additional load.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the deep persistent slab.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5