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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2021–Dec 19th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The avalanche hazard will reach its peak overnight Saturday. As the storm pases and cold ,calm and clear weather arrives this week, the avalanche hazard is expected to improve.

Weather Forecast

A Pacific low will pass through the forecast region Saturday night, The storm will bring up to 20cm of snow and strong south west winds. By Sunday a ridge of high pressure will begging to form, precipitation will end temperatures will cool and the wind will die down. 

Snowpack Summary

15-25 cm of low density surface snow with extensive wind effect in the alpine and tree line. The Dec 2 rain crust is present below 2200 m and down 40-60 cm with facets above and below. The Nov 5 crust/facet interface is found near the base of the snowpack and has formed a deep persistent layer. Snowpack depths at treeline are from 120 to 180 cm.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported Saturday. A size 3.5 natural avalanche failing on glacier ice above the Bow Hut approach occurred in the last few days. This appeared to be triggered by wind loading and shows some of the uncertainty in the snowpack.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.