Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 28 – 29, 2015Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

A few cm's of new snow is forecast to help refresh the skiing. Have fun!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Isolated windslabs can be found in alpine terrain as a result of recent West and Southwest winds.

Weather Forecast

A bit of moisture will arrive on Monday as pacific air fights against polar air. Expect cloud and a few cms of new snow with tree line temperatures between -8 and -15. A high pressure system will take hold Tuesday bringing a return to clear skies and northerly winds.

Snowpack Summary

A well settled snowpack with few weaknesses exists throughout the region. Small isolated wind slabs exist on leeward slopes in the high alpine. Below 2000m, the Dec 3 layer of surface hoar remains visible and produces hard, planar test results in some areas but has not been reactive to skier traffic. Thin snow pack areas are beginning to facet out.

Avalanche Summary

Some sluffing and small natural cornice failures have been observed in really steep terrain due to the increasing winds moving the low density surface snow. Local ski areas have reported being able to ski cut small winds slabs in alpine lee areas.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Regions covered