Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 19 – 20, 2012Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Good skiing can be found in sheltered locations. Remember, a stable snowpack in December is different than a stable snowpack in April. Many thin/ weak spots still exist in alpine features. Hopefully the forecast of 5-10 cms on Thurs comes true!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    New snow is hiding old windslabs in lee terrain at and above treeline that may be sensitive to skier triggering. In the right terrain these could take the skier into a terrain trap.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2–3
    We are seeing weakening of the Nov 6 crust in thinner areas due to facetting. Although we haven't seen activity on this layer recently, it is still the prominent feature in this years snow pack, and should be evaluated in bigger features.

Weather Forecast

Wed: Alpine temps in the -10 / -15 range. 1-2 cms snow, up to 5 cm N of Lake Louise overnight. Winds moderate from the W. Thurs: Alpine temps -10/-15. 5-10cms new snow with higher values N of Lake Louise. Winds light from S/ SW. Fri: Arctic air moves in.  Alpine temps -15/-20. Clearing skies. Winds light from SW.

Snowpack Summary

A few cm's of new snow overlies a slowly facetting snowpack. In the alpine, old windslabs exist and are visible as 'rippled' snow on the surface. These may be reactive to human triggering. The Nov. 6th crust is facetting out, and is now more of a facet layer than a crust in many places. This layer is giving hard to no results in compression tests.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today by forecasters during a field trip in the Lake Louise ski hill backcountry.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered