Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 26th, 2013 4:00PM

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

Brad White, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Wind and new snow will begin to push the Danger towards HIGH on steep loaded features. Stick to low angle terrain with low consequences. JBW

Summary

Weather Forecast

Another storm Friday will bring up to 10cm west of the divide with lesser amounts eastwards. Winds will continue to be in the Moderate to Strong range from the west. temperatures will cool with the passing of the front Friday/Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm new snow has fallen west of the divide. Otherwise, the winds have been howling from the west and all windward slopes are stripped bare. Lee and cross loaded gullies have a mix of hard and soft wind slabs over a weak shallow base.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed over the last 24 hrs. Sporadic natural avalanches up to size 2.5 have been occurring this past week on steep slopes with wind loading.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The crust and or depth hoar at the base of the snowpack means that any avalanche that begins will likely step down and involve the entire snowpack.

Avoid steep, open slopes.Choose well supported terrain without convexities.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Wind transport has created a mix of hard and soft slabs on all lee and cross loaded slopes . Terrain choices are tricky because the only places that have enough snow are wind loaded. Use shallow slope angles to minimize risk.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 27th, 2013 4:00PM