Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
Moderate danger means heightened avalanche conditions where human triggered avalanches are possible. Be cautious when traveling in complex terrain.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid freshly wind loaded features.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
The Dec 15 layer continues to cause some uncertainty with forecasters. Few avalanche observations have been reported on this instability, though widespread cracking and whumphing is still occurring when traveling in the backcountry.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported today
Snowpack Summary
Newly formed windslabs on immediate lees at alpine and treeline elevations. In sheltered areas the upper snowpack consist of 20-30cm of soft slab over the Jan 6 surface hoar, which has been reactive in test results. The Dec 15 layer is still a concern 40-60 cm down. Much of the snowpack is facetted with little structure below treeline.
Weather Forecast
Highs of -5 to -8C at valley bottom and -10 to -12C at upper elevations Sunday. 3000m winds will be strong from the SW and light at valley bottom. Only a couple few cm of snow is expected along the divide and less to the East.
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Recent winds and snow have formed slabs in immediate lees. Pay attention to the surface texture and local wind transport as these will be the biggest indicator of their formation.