Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 12 – 13, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Strong southwest winds have stripped windward areas and created fresh wind slabs in  lee terrain at and above treeline. These windslabs are reactive to skier triggering.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Snowpack tests show that the weak facets at the base of the snowpack continue to be a concern.

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and freezing levels around 1700 m for Thursday night. Friday is mainly cloudy with a gradual cooling trend throughout the day. By Saturday freezing levels will be at valley bottom. Winds will switch from strong SW on Thursday night to light from the north on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Strong southwest winds have stripped  windward aspects and created fresh wind slabs in lee terrain at treeline and above locations. Mild temperatures have promoted settlement in upper pack, but lower basal layers remain weak and facetted.

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of a small cycle in Yoho Park at and below treeline due to Wednesdays warm temperatures and rain. A fresh slab in past 24 hours was observed on the east side of Mt. Victoria. (2900 m, size 2.5, 200m wide, approx 50 cm deep).

Confidence

Regions covered