Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 9th, 2012 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Parks Canada snow safety, Parks Canada

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Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Decent travel at higher elevations, lots of early season hazards below treeline. First cold snap coming up.... SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Lows below -20C for next 2 days with highs around -15C.  On Sat. winds aloft East switching North.  Increased Westerly flow on Monday with a warming trend.  No snow and fairly clear Saturday, minimal snow Sunday, Monday.

Snowpack Summary

HS  approx. 50cm E of divide to 80cm W. of the divide. The Nov 6 crust ranges from a few cm to 10cm thick, generally more pronounced on S aspects with 20-40cm average on top. Except for isolated wind affected ridge features, there is a good bond to this layer. Surface facetting with cold temps.

Avalanche Summary

Wind slabs within storm snow 20-50cm thick (sz.1 not on Nov.6 crust, stubborn) triggered by ski cutting at Sunshine Village near lee ridge features. Similar results but on the Nov.6 crust in Lake Louise today.  None observed up hwy 93.N

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Saturday

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs 20-50cm thick near lees of ridgecrests are sitting on the Nov.6 crust or within the storm snow above.  These are currently very isolated in nature.
Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 10th, 2012 4:00PM

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