Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 22nd, 2015 4:36PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Enjoy the great ski conditions over the Christmas Holidays!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mostly sunny with cool temperatures and light ridge-top winds through to Christmas Day.

Snowpack Summary

Recent winds have formed small, isolated wind slabs in immediate lee alpine terrain. The December 3 surface hoar is 40 to 70cm deep and generally found between 1700 and 2150m. This interface is becoming less reactive in most places and currently producing variable moderate to hard shears.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural slab avalanches have been observed.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Isolated slabs soft slabs are present in immediate lee areas in the alpine.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The slab above this layer has not been very reactive recently. Snow pack tests produce shears in the moderate to hard range. Dig down to identify and test this layer before committing to in steep, open or convex terrain below tree line.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 23rd, 2015 4:00PM