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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2023–Dec 15th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Strong winds and 5-10cm of snow will keep the hazard elevated for the next few days.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise ski patrol remote triggered a size 1.5. The feature was at treeline and was a reloaded bed surface from a previous avalanche. No other avalanches were observed, but visibility was poor for most of the day.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs are prevalent from previous strong winds. Last week's storm snow at treeline settled to 20-40cm. A rain crust up to 7cm thick exists within the storm snow as high as 2300. It has been observed to be more prevalent in the southern part of the region. This all overlies the deep persistent weak layers, consisting of surface hoar and basal facets. Treeline depths range from 50-80cm.

Click here for the snow profile done on Tuesday in the Dolomite peak area.

Weather Summary

Up to 10cm should fall by Friday morning. Snow will stop on Friday morning, winds will increase to 60kmh from the southwest, and temperatures will start in the -10 to -12C range, warming over the day. Friday night into Saturday will see extreme winds and no snow.

For more information, click Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.