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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 14th, 2020–Nov 15th, 2020
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

West winds are moving snow in the alpine right now. Both the frequency and size of natural avalanches are expected to increase for Sunday. There is very little snow below 2200m: be very cautious with early season hazards.

Weather Forecast

An additional 10 cm of expected snow will bring storm amounts up to 25 cm Sunday.  Saturday's moderate, gusting strong, alpine winds will shift to the SW and increase. A slight increase in temperatures is also expected with Alpine temperatures ranging from -10 to -14C.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15m of snow in the past 48hrs. Moderate West winds are building wind slabs in alpine terrain. The early Nov crusts exist up to 2400m in the Icefields Parkway area and found to be up to 2700m in the Sunshine area. This crust is 5-10cm thick and found 20-40cm above the ground. At tree line the snowpack is 40-80cm with very little below this .

Avalanche Summary

Limited visibility with wind transport evident in the alpine today. A sz 1.5 loose dry avalanche was observed out of the start zone for one of the Dolomite Peak paths. Lake Louise ski area reported several natural slabs to sz 1.5 in their ridge crest terrain resulting from the winds in the past 24 hrs.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs have developed in ridge crest and gully features in alpine terrain. Although small to this point, we expect size to increase. These may run fast and far and would be a problem for climbers or skiers in gullies  or steep terrain.

  • Be careful around wind loaded areas near ridge crests, cross loaded gullies and roll-overs.
  • Avoid exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

Fresh snow now buries the early November crusts and may not be bonding well. This problem is mainly a concern in steep confined terrain or where a small sluff could push you over a cliffs edge or into a terrain trap.

  • If triggered dry loose point releases can form deeper deposits in terrain traps.
  • 875

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5