Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Nov 22 – 23, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Recent new snow and winds have produced wind slabs on lee aspects in the alpine. These slabs are reactive to skier triggering in specific locations.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Heavy snowfall forecasted for night of Nov 21. Expect 10-15 cm at valley bottom with double that amount in the alpine. This new snow will increase the avalanche hazard for Thursday.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Although no recent natural avalanches have been observed on this layer, this still is a significant interface to be aware of. Latest storm inputs may be enough to overload this layer.

Weather Forecast

Heavy snow fall warning for Banff and Lake Louise tonight. Some forecasts say 10-15 at valley bottom locations. Can expect double this amount in the alpine. Temperatures will get colder towards the end of the week.

Snowpack Summary

30 cm of settled storm snow at tree-line along the continental divide along with moderate to strong westerly winds has created wind-slabs in the alpine. Easy shears at storm snow interface and mod shears down 60 cm on Nov 6 crust.

Avalanche Summary

  No natural avalanches were observed throughout the forecast area today. Several naturals were reported yesterday from the Icefields Parkway. Sunshine Ski Hill reported up to Class 2.5 slabs with explosives running in the storm snow.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Regions covered