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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 13th, 2020–Nov 14th, 2020
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Do not rush blindly into steep, committing terrain. Our current problems are amplified when encountered in confined areas such as ice filled gullies or tight couloirs.

Weather Forecast

Saturday will bring mainly cloudy skies with isolated flurries accumulating ~2 cm of snow. Ridge top winds will average 35-50 km/hr from the West. Temps will range from -10 to -17. Sunday will see warmer temps, increasing winds (up to 100km/hr) and snow amounts in the 10-25 cm range.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of new snow has fallen. Moderate Southerly winds have formed fresh wind slabs in alpine terrain. The early Nov crusts exist up to 2400m in the Icefields Parkway area and found to be up to 2700m in the Sunshine area. This crust is 5-10cm thick and found 20-40cm above the ground. At tree line the snowpack is 40-80cm deep.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanche activity observed on a road patrol, but visibility was poor along 93S and 93N today.

Local ski areas reporting small spin drifts from steep rocky terrain, one skier control size 1 wind slab and several size 1 wind slabs results from explosive control.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs exist in wind loaded and gully areas in alpine terrain. They have the potential to run fast and far and could be a problem for ice climbers and skiers in confined gullies at high elevations.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
  • Be careful around wind loaded areas near ridge crests, cross loaded gullies and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

Fresh snow now buries the early November crusts and may not be bonding well. This problem is mainly a concern in steep confined terrain or where a small sluff could push you over a cliffs edge or into a terrain trap.

  • 875
  • If triggered dry loose point releases can form deeper deposits in terrain traps.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5