Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
The snowpack has almost reached tipping point - but not quite - with 40cm of soft snow overlying the Dec 15 weak layer (surface hoar & facets) we just need a slight change to the overlying slab density to have an avalanche cycle. Be careful!
Avalanche Problem 1: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.
Avalanche Problem 2: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Soft windslabs formed during the last storm exist near ridge crests and under cliff bands. Watch for the changing feel of the snow under your feet and be wary of areas with denser surface snow.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Avalanche Summary
A solo backcountry skier triggered a size 2 avalanche on Richardson's Ridge today outside the Lake Louise Ski Resort boundary - this was a treeline area with a shallow snowpack. As well, numerous small windslabs were observed to have run over the past 48 hours during the recent storm.
Snowpack Summary
30 cm of low density snow has fallen over the past 5 days with limited wind effect except near alpine ridge crests. There is now a total of 30-50 cm overlying the Dec 15 persistent weak layer which is becoming reactive at treeline and above. We are closely monitoring the overlying slab properties and watching for the snow to become more dense.
Weather Forecast
Friday will continue to be cold and clear with overnight lows of -20 and daytime highs reaching -13. No precipitation in the forecast for Friday and winds will be light from the northwest.
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There is a dangerous weak layer down 30-40 cm but it needs a stiffer slab overlying it for the avalanche to occur. We are "almost" at that tipping point so be very careful with this layer and travel conservatively even if you observe no avalanches.