Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 23rd, 2013 4:22PM
The alpine rating is Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeBackcountry touring in the park is highly variable now due to the early season conditions. The best snowpack is found on the west side of the Banff-Jasper highway, and the Sunshine Village backcountry. Be patient and avoid avalanche starting areas.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Little change forecast over the next few days, so Santa should have smooth sailing with only a few clouds to navigate through. Temps will range from -2 to -10 with light snowfall on Tuesday and light westerly winds.
Snowpack Summary
20 cm of facetted snow sits on a generally weak snowpack. All areas of the park have <100cm of total snowpack, comprised almost entirely of facets and depth hoar near the base. Today, field teams in Kootenay Park found well preserved surface hoar down 40 cm from the top which produced moderate to hard shears. The snowpack should not be trusted.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed or reported today.
Confidence
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Overall the snowpack is very weak, and full depth avalanches are likely to be human triggered in specific areas. Stick to low angled terrain without any overhead hazard, and try to avoid all avalanche starting zones under these conditions
- Avoid steep, open slopes.
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may exist in some areas of wind loading at higher elevations. While these avalanches may be initially small, once started they have the potential to trigger a larger, deep slab.
- Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 24th, 2013 4:00PM