Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 15 – 16, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Good skiing can be found in sheltered locations below 2500m. Just remember, the snowpack thins out below 1750m. Rocks, stumps, and buried hazards are still lurking near the surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    The wind slabs from earlier this week seem to be isolated to ridge lee features and high, open alpine terrain. There has not been much activity in these slabs, except for isolated wind events at ridge-top.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    The Nov 6 rain crust has yet to wake up. If the load on this layer increases, it may become reactive, producing large avalanches. Smaller avalanches may step down to this deeper layer.

Weather Forecast

A minor blip in the current trend will bring moderate to strong SW winds tomorrow, with possible afternoon/evening flurries amounting to 1-3cm. Temperatures will remain at seasonal values in the alpine (-10 to -14). Winds should die down to moderate on Sunday with little in the way of precipitation.

Snowpack Summary

Variable surface wind slabs have been found in immediate lee ridge features, as well as open terrain above 2800m. In sheltered locations, very good skiing can be found from 2500m to as low as 1750m. Lower than that and things get a bit thin . A well-settled mid-pack sits atop the Nov 6 rain crust, which is starting to break down in some locations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported today and very little activity in the past week.

Confidence

Regions covered