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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 2nd, 2024–Dec 3rd, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Warm temperatures may improve comfort levels, but a thin, weak snowpack persists. Elevated winds are expected to load alpine lee areas on Tues. Keep the deep persistent layers in mind, especially on large alpine slopes.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise patrol had minimal results with a few explosive triggered size 1 loose dry avalanches. Otherwise, no new avalanches were observed or reported.

Snowpack Summary

The early-season snowpack at treeline measures 50-90 cm, with heavy wind-affect in the alpine. The November crust lies mid-pack on south aspects, while the main concern is the October crust near the ground on north aspects, where facets and depth hoar are forming. The snowpack is generally weakening as facets develop.

Weather Summary

Mild temperatures with valley lows near 0°C and ridge temps around -4°C expected Tuesday. No snow in the forecast. Winds may intensify into the extreme range from the west, though model confidence is low.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

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.