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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 11th, 2023–Nov 12th, 2023

Alpine
Early Season
Treeline
Early Season
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Early Season
Treeline
Early Season
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Early Season
Treeline
Early Season
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Due to limited field observations, the avalanche hazard is uncertain for forecasters. Watch for wind slabs, fresh or buried, with potentially high consequences in climbing terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Ice climbers have encountered some small wind slabs over the past week, which have ranged from reactive to sluggish. We haven't had any reports today of avalanches, but we suspect new snow will make those old slabs more reactive.

Snowpack Summary

Trace to 12cm (Sunshine Village) of new snow on Saturday. At treeline, snow depths are 20-40 cm. In the alpine, lee features have 30-60 cm of snow, isolated wind slabs, and a weak faceted base. Lake Louise is reporting an "almost supportive" crust.

Weather Summary

On Saturday night, expect trace snow amounts except for 10-15cm along Highway 93 North and Yoho with moderate to strong alpine winds from the SW. On Sunday, winds will remain moderate, with only trace amounts of snow and clearing in the AM.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.