Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 15th, 2019 4:11PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
Lisa Paulson,
Parks Canada
Skier accidental in the Louise region today, see avalanche summary for details.
At this point, we are uncertain about the incoming snow and wind Sunday. Stay tuned!
Summary
Weather Forecast
Saturday - light flurries and slightly cooler temperatures than Friday should help to improve the hazard slightly.
Sunday - models range from 10-30 cm predicted with Moderate to strong SW winds along the Divide and West. If we see large accumulations, expect the hazard to rise on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of settled snow sits on the Nov 8 crust and a variety of old wind slabs in the alpine. Faceting observed around the Oct crust and at the ground showing easy sudden collapses & propagation propensity in deeper snowpacks around Louise (90 cm). Treeline snow depths range from 50-80 cm, and up to 110 cm wind loaded pockets in the alpine.
Avalanche Summary
A skier accidental size 2 slide failed on facets on the ground on a convex feature in Pipestone Bowl, near the Lake Louise Ski area. Size 1.5 natural on basal facets NE aspect at 2400 m, base of Whitehorn gullies. No other
Confidence
Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Reactive today in the Louise area (see avalanche summary) on basal facets and the October crust. Pending on the intensity of the incoming system on Sunday, we expect this layer to become more active.
- Convex features and steep unsupported slopes will be most prone to triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 16th, 2019 4:00PM
