Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 24 – 25, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Backcountry 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.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    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.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3
    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

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

Regions covered