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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 2nd, 2023–Dec 3rd, 2023

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

Regions

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

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.

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.