Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
Watch for wind slab development through the day tomorrow. While forecast snowfall amounts vary, there is a high likely hood that new winds slabs will be reactive. Ice climbers in particular, be aware of what could be happening above your chosen route.
Early Season Conditions persist.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed or reported for the last several days.
Snowpack Summary
With the incoming wind and snow, there will be potential for windslab development on Sunday. These slabs will form over a variety of surfaces, from facets, sun crust on solar slopes and surface hoar and will be reactive to human and potentially natural triggers. The snow pack is still very thin and weak in many places, with up 90 cm's of total snow in the alpine and 25-50cm's of snow at treeline.
Weather Summary
Some snow is expected overnight, with the bulk of the incoming precipitation starting to arrive mid-morning. We are expecting 5-10 cm's of new snow, with more snowfall expected west of the divide. Winds will increase into the strong range at higher elevations. Valley bottoms may feel calm, but ridgetop winds will be gusting, with an alpine high of -8C.
For more information click Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack is very weak, if you are in steep terrain where the wind has created a dense slab on top of this weak base, be wary! The snowpack is very thin in most areas yet storms earlier in November still produced limited avalanche cycles.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
With incoming snow and winds, wind slab development is expected. While valley bottoms may seem calm, strong winds at ridge top could be redistributing snow to form fresh wind slabs. Ice climbers in gullies should definitely pay attention to the terrain overhead.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5