Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 16 – 17, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Basal facets, crusts and depth hoar are found in many places. Use caution if you're heading into committing terrain, as it's a bit of a gamble whether you will trigger a slope, these layers are hard to predict.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Variable wind slab development can be found mainly in the alpine but also in some wind exposed treeline features. These are losing sensitivity to human triggering but will need a few days to settle out completely.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    The recent snow sits over weak facet and crust layers. As time goes on the chance of triggering is becoming less likely, but there is lots of uncertainty as to where you could trigger an avalanche and what it will take to get it moving.

Weather Forecast

The current North West flow will shift to a Westerly by Monday. This will likely bring increase cloudiness and some snow for later in the week. A gradual warming trend starting Monday will bring daytime high in the valley to the negative single digits. Ridge winds are forecasted to be strong till Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

Pockets of wind slab linger in alpine areas. Beneath the recent 40-60 cm of storm snow, the snowpack structure is generally weak, consisting of facets and depth hoar. The Nov crust is present up to 2500m and ~30 cm up from ground. Snowpack depths at treeline range from 80-160 cm.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanche activity observed or reported Sunday.

Confidence

Regions covered