Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
New snow and wind are coming. Windslabs will likely be forming all day Thursday. Weak mid-pack layers are still worrisome.
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.
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
Avalanche Problem 2: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
New snow and accompanying winds usually create windslabs near ridge crests on lee slopes.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control on Tuesday was mostly underwhelming with larger avalanches noted on Mt. Dennis in Yoho. No new avalanches were reported today.
Snowpack Summary
Suncrust can occasionally be found on S and W aspects. 30-50cm of snow sits over the Dec.15 persistent weak layer of facets and surface hoar. The overlying slab propagation is extremely variable across the region with stability of the snow being specific to each slope. Overall the snowpack is still well facetted
Weather Forecast
Snow and wind are expected again Thursday. A little warming with the snow and then a return to cooler temperatures. Snowfall amounts are expected to be in the 10cm range. Maybe 15cm by Friday.
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This layer continues to be the cause of much uncertainty with forecasters - we think its bad, but yet it has not yet produced many large avalanches. We remain uneasy about it despite indications of generally good conditions.