Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 4 – 5, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Avalanche hazard will increase with wind and snow. Pay attention to local conditions as they vary throughout the region.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    10-20 cm of recent storm snow accompanied by strong SW winds will have created fresh wind slabs in alpine and tree-line regions.

Weather Forecast

Light flurries (5-10 cm) and strong SW winds forecasted for Wednesday. Day-time highs at tree-line around -1. Slight cooling trend for Thursday with mixed sun and cloud.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of fresh snow (and more expected on Wednesday) accompanied by moderate SW winds have created fresh windslabs in lee alpine terrain. The midpack consists of 25-35 cm of facetted snow overtop of the Nov 8 crust. The lower snowpack consists of facets and depth hoar. Snowpack depths at treeline vary from 60-90 cm with up to 140 cm in lee areas

Avalanche Summary

Reports of newly formed wind slabs isolated to ridge crest have been reactive to explosive control and ski cuts. All observed avalanches were size 1-1.5.

Confidence

Regions covered