Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Dec 27 – 28, 2013Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Wind and new snow will begin to push the Danger towards HIGH on steep loaded features. Stick to low angle terrain with low consequences. JBW

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Wind transport has created a mix of hard and soft slabs on all lee and cross loaded slopes . Terrain choices are tricky because the only places that have enough snow are wind loaded. Use shallow slope angles to minimize risk.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3
    The crust and or depth hoar at the base of the snowpack means that any avalanche that begins will likely step down and involve the entire snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Another storm Friday will bring up to 10cm west of the divide with lesser amounts eastwards. Winds will continue to be in the Moderate to Strong range from the west. temperatures will cool with the passing of the front Friday/Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm new snow has fallen west of the divide. Otherwise, the winds have been howling from the west and all windward slopes are stripped bare. Lee and cross loaded gullies have a mix of hard and soft wind slabs over a weak shallow base.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed over the last 24 hrs. Sporadic natural avalanches up to size 2.5 have been occurring this past week on steep slopes with wind loading.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Regions covered