Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 20 – 21, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The snowpack so far this year has had very little in the way of fundamental influences to change its structure.  Consequently the overall strength of the snowpack at the base is poor at the moment in spite of the lack of natural avalanche activity.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Natural avalanche activity has subsided but snowpack tests show that the weak facets at the basal level continue to be the big issue. The slab that rests on this weak structure may indicate some strength in places but in fact very little has changed.

Weather Forecast

A moderate SW flow will bring light snowfall and a relative warming trend in through Sunday and another disturbance will accompany a moderate snowfall early next week.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack at TL and in the alpine continues to exhibit poor structure in lower half of the snowpack, a settled mid pack and a variety of surfaces including crusts, wind slabs where the sun and wind had influence on it. In locations where the snow surfaces were sheltered the upper snowpack has facets and some surface hoar just buried near surface

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity although snowpack tests at treeline today did not inspire confidence in the mind set of today's avalanche forecaster.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Regions covered