Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 19th, 2013 4:22PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Basal weaknesses are waking up with the added new snow land wind loading. Avalanche control today again produced large, destructive avalanches. Use caution in avalanche terrain!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Increasing wind and moderately cold temperatures forecast for tomorrow will continue snow transport. Occasional light flurries are not expected to affect the forecast.

Snowpack Summary

Faceting and windslabs still dominate the Rockies' snowpack. The deep persistent weak layers are still reactive with additional wind-loading. Triggering overlying slabs is likely and will result in large, destructive avalanches as seen in avalanche control work today.

Avalanche Summary

Lee slopes with an easterly component are deep enough to produce large avalanches. Windslabs over loose facets may be very touchy still. All aspects are producing shallow releases which may run quickly in gullied terrain.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Continuing winds acting on loose facets and the remaining storm snow are expected to maintain considerable hazard in the short term.

Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

Loose snow can quickly pick up speed and mass in gullied terrain.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Early season hazards such as rocks, trees and stumps are still visible.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 20th, 2013 4:00PM