Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 2nd, 2018 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs.

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Although by definition the danger is low, forecasters have received reports of a remote triggers (usually size 1.5-ish) in isolated alpine terrain for the last little while. Conditions are good but its not open season yet.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The benign weather pattern we are currently experiencing will persist for a few more days. Trace amounts of snow combined with a mix of sun and cloud is expected Monday and Tuesday. Wind will remain light from the W/NW. The temperature may dip down to the -20 range Tuesday evening.

Snowpack Summary

Trace amounts of snow over last night. 5-10 cm of recent snow has been redistributed into some thin windslabs in alpine and treeline immediate lees. The October 26th crust/ facet layer is ~ 30 cm above ground. HS ranges from 50-85 cm at 2000 m with the entire snowpack faceting and weakening.

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of some cornice failures was observed on Mt. Bosworth today. They did not appear fresh, and the cornice did not trigger any slabs. A size 2 skier remote was reported on the MIN on Crystal ridge this afternoon, no further information available on this avalanche.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations on Sunday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

It is still possible to trigger this layer but it will be in the isolated, steep spot. Be careful around steep terrain where a stiffer, more cohesive slab exists over the weak snow at the base of the snowpack.

Whumpfing is direct evidence of a buried instability.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2

Valid until: Dec 3rd, 2018 4:00PM