Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 23rd, 2013 4:22PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Grant Statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

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.

Summary

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

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

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

Avoid steep, open slopes.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

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.

Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Dec 24th, 2013 4:00PM