Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 17 – 18, 2014Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

We are in a classic Rockies snowpack. Thin and rocky with a basal weakness. Forecasters have low confidence in any steeper terrain above tree line. Keep this in mind when choosing terrain to ride!

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Natural avalanche activity has tapered off but snowpack tests show that the weak facets at the base of the snowpack continue to be a concern. With a stronger upper snowpack, triggering an avalanche is less likely but the consequences remain serious.

Weather Forecast

Cool temperatures, light winds and minimal precipitation are the short term forecast. Cloud cover will increase Thursday/ Friday and we might get a few snowflakes. A mild inversion is making alpine temperatures more comfortable, but doing little to destabilize the snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine a few cm`s of new snow overlies a firm base of old wind slabs. At treeline and above, mild temperatures have helped strengthen the upper snowpack but the basal rain crust/facets remain weak. Below treeline a rain crust is present and the snowpack is solidly frozen in most areas.

Avalanche Summary

There were many ski tracks going into more aggressive alpine terrain in the Bow Summit area today. A large size 2.5 natural avalanche was also noticed on a NW aspect of Observation subpeak. This looked to be recent within the last 48 hours and is indicative of the low probability/ high consequence conditions we are currently dealing with.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Regions covered