Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 12th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is early season, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

Avalanche Canada MW, Avalanche Canada

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23-30cm of new snow is expected over the long weekend on the Icefields Parkway. Watch out for wind slabs in exposed alpine terrain and be aware that small, dry loose avalanches are possible in steep, sheltered terrain (talking to you ice climbers!)

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches observed.

Please consider submitting a MIN to report avalanche activity, conditions, or weather.

Snowpack Summary

20-30cm of snow over the long weekend will create fresh wind slabs. These new wind slabs will sit over a thin and variable snowpack. Nov 10- Treeline snow depths 5-20cm.

Avoid wind loaded pockets in leeward areas and near ridgetop.

Many open crevasses are hidden by thin bridges of wind-blown snow. Roping up, diligent probing, and experience are critical for glacier travel.

Weather Summary

Saturday Snow. Accumulation: 10-20 cm. Wind SW 20 km/h gusting to 50. Freezing level 1600 metres

Sunday Sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Wind SW 15 km/h gusting 55

Monday Cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 5 cm. Freezing level: 1800m

Mountain Weather Forecast https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Rapid loading on Saturday with moderate to strong wind will quickly increase wind slab hazard. Limited snowpack observations so far but the consensus is our base is weak and avalanches are likely this weekend.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

Use caution is steep, sheltered areas. Ice climbers should mindful of their overhead hazard.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 13th, 2023 4:00PM