Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2018 4:27PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The snowpack is stabilizing after last week's storm, however isolated natural avalanche are still being reported. Despite improving trend, forecasters confidence is low. Caution is still warranted.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Boxing Day should be a mix of sun and cloud with occasional light flurries, but little in way of accumulation. Freezing levels will be at surface and winds will be light to moderate from the SW

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack has doubled since Dec 10, and is slowly stabilizing after last week's storm cycle. Deeper snowpack areas continue to show the Dec 10 SH layer down 60-80 cm with hard, but sudden column test results. In shallow snowpack areas, the basal facets are producing easy collapse test results and should not be trusted.

Avalanche Summary

There were several reports over the past 48 hours of natural avalanches (up to 1.5) from the Sunshine Back-country.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem dominates the central and eastern part of the forecast region and will continue to do so for some time. Continue to avoid large, open avalanche prone slopes at treeline and in the alpine as these cannot yet be trusted.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The Dec 10 surface hoar and facets can be found 40-80 cm down in the deeper (western) parts of the forecast region. The layer is stabilizing, but continues to be a concern .

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2018 4:00PM