Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 4 – 5, 2012Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Moderate SW winds and lots of snow available for transport has created touchy wind slabs in the alpine. Forecasted strong winds for Tuesday will exasperate the slab development and increase the avalanche hazard.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–3
    While it is unlikely, triggering this layer is still possible. It is located 50-90cm below the surface. Use caution and consider this layer when venturing into larger terrain.

Weather Forecast

Continued unsettled weather with light accumulations through Wednesday. Strong SW winds forecast for Tuesday will increase the avalanche hazard.

Snowpack Summary

30-40 cm of accumulated storm snow over the last 5 days in addition to moderate SW winds have created soft slabs in many lee alpine locations. These slabs are reactive to skier triggering. The November 6 raincrust is down 80 cm and remains a concern.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous Class 1-1.5 ski cut slabs in the alpine (25-40 cm deep) were reported by Sunshine ski patrol today. Yesterday climbers reported a sizable slide on Polar Circus ice climb running down to below the pencil feature.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Regions covered