Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 9 – 10, 2014Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

A storm is approaching the forecast region on Tuesday midday. The danger rating will rise.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2
    Mild temperatures and westerly flow will cause wind slabs to develop in exposed areas at tree line and above. Watch for pockets of hard slab near ridge tops and on cross loaded features.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    The primary problem in the snowpack is the interface between the recent storm snow and the November 6th and 24th facet/crust interfaces. Owing to the delicate structure of these layers we expect this problem will persist for the foreseeable future.

Weather Forecast

A warm and moist system is approaching the forecast region and is expected to arrive midday on Tuesday. Up to 20cm of snow is expected with strong wind from the west. This will elevate the danger rating late on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Warmer daytime temperatures this weekend are promoting settlement of the upper snowpack and creating more of a slab over the basal facets especially in wind affected areas. The lower half of the snowpack is poorly structured, with facets (Nov 24th) below the recent storm snow, thin crusts (Nov 6th) below this, and then depth hoar near the ground.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Regions covered