Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
Small amounts of new snow are slowly accumulating adding load to the Dec 15th layer. Forecasters are uncertain as to exactly when the scales will tip in the direction of increased avalanche hazard. Likely, we will see an increase Weds.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Dry
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Loose dry surface snow avalanches will continue to be a problem in steep rocky areas and gullies until the facets round out and begin to bond better. Additionally, we have small amounts of new low density snow adding to the problem.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
- The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.
Avalanche Summary
Lake Louise ski area reported that patrollers could ski cut size 1 loose dry avalanches in very steep and confined terrain. Otherwise nothing observed or reported.
Snowpack Summary
30-50cm of snow sits over the Dec 15 layer of surface hoar or sun crust, and is developing soft slab properties with the warmer temps wind and approx 10cm of new snow. Below this the snowpack is heavily faceted with remnants of older crust's still lingering throughout. Concern remains in steep faceted gully's where loose dry avalanches can occur.
Weather Forecast
The forecast calls for up to 20cm of new snow by the end of Wednesday. Temperatures are also expected to drop into the -15 range by Thursday, with cloudy skies throughout. Wind is expected to increase in to the moderate range throughout Tuesday from the SW.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).
Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/banff-yoho-kootenay.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
Recent snow is being moved around by the SW winds and forming thin wind slabs in immediate lee areas. These slabs can fail on the either the weak facets or the Dec 15 layer, and have been triggered by climbers and skiers in the last few days.