Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
With fresh slabs over a weak layer, avalanche activity can be expected this weekend. Skiers should take a cautious approach with steep or large slopes and climbers should consider their exposure to overhead avalanche terrain.
Weather Forecast
Sunday, models show up to 25 cm of snow to fall by Monday morning with temperatures sticking to the -5 to -10C range. Alpine winds will continue in the strong range through Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
Flurries continued today with moderate West winds to bring storm amounts to 15 to 25cm in the last 48 hours. The alpine snowpack ranges from 50-100 cm across the region with the main feature to watch in the snowpack being a layer of facets now buried 25 to 40 cm . Below 2700m these facets sit above a temperature crust that was buried on Halloween.
Avalanche Summary
Yesterday, forecasters kicked off a size 1.5, 30-40cm deep soft storm slab over facets today in a steeper alpine moraine feature. Similar avalanches were reported today on Mt Ogden. Our tour found more wind effect in Sunshine area today. Sunshine patrollers reported continued activity over the facets with windslabs building in the alpine.
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday
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.
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.