Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 24th, 2018–Dec 25th, 2018

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The snowpack is stabilizing after last week's storm, aided by Tuesday's cold temperatures and calm air. This trend should continue through the week, but with several buried weak layers persisting - keep your head up still. Merry Christmas everyone!

Weather Forecast

Christmas Eve looks like a nice night for Santa to fly. Clear skies with remnants of a full moon should help. Christmas day looks to have a mix of sun and clouds with some light flurries in the afternoon. Temperatures ranging from -10 to -18 across the region with light winds out of the west.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack has doubled since Dec 10, and is slowly stabilizing after last week's storm cycle. Deeper snowpack areas continue to show the Dec 10 SH layer down 60-80 cm with hard, but sudden column test results. In shallow snowpack areas, the basal facets are producing easy collapse test results and should not be trusted.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed today on Highway 93 North area.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem dominates the central and eastern part of the forecast region and will continue to do so for some time. Continue to avoid large, open avalanche prone slopes at treeline and in the alpine as these cannot yet be trusted.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The Dec 10 surface hoar and facets can be found 40-80 cm down in the deeper (western) parts of the forecast region. The layer is stabilizing, but continues to be a concern at at in treeline gladed areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5