Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 12th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
TH,
Avalanche Canada
As the weekend's snowfall bears off, we are coming out of the first minor avalanche cycle of the season.
While there is a bit more snow around, remember that we are still dealing with Early Season Conditions and that forecasters are dealing with very limited observations.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Following Saturday's storm, the ski hills reported skier triggering windslabs and loose dry avalanches up to sz 1.5 at treeline and above. Today Lake Louise triggered a sz 2 slab off of the ridge crest in NW facing terrain at 2500m that was 30 wide and 30cm deep running 400m confined to a gully. This slab failed 5cm off of the ground on a crust thought to be from late October.
Snowpack Summary
The recent storms have brought 10 to 30cm of snow at TL redistributed by strong south winds.
At treeline and above, this snow has fallen on a shallow early season snowpack that the wind had redistributed into pockets of reactive windslab in sheltered features. A crust can be expected above this old snow in some locations.
Treeline HS values are around 40-80 cm.
Weather Summary
A cold front is presently passing the area dropping TL temps to -10C and up to 5cm more snow. Winds will shift to the west and remain strong in the alpine.
Trace amounts of snow can be expected Tuesday as the winds back off a bit and temperatures remain steady.
For more info please see the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
- Small avalanches may cause climbers to fall or belayers and gear to become buried.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong south winds quickly built new slabs Saturday. As a bit more snow arrives Monday evening, winds will shift to the west and remain elevated.
These slabs may be sitting on a crust that may keep them sensitive for an extended period.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Recent snowfall has loaded up alpine faces and gully walls. The continued elevated winds will likely continue to move this snow around. Sluffs may run a significant distance in steep or confined terrain and have serious consequence in terrain traps.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 13th, 2023 4:00PM
