Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 6th, 2017 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Our information is limited but watch for isolated pockets of wind slab in the alpine. Skiing is possible above 2100m due to a buried crust down 10-15 cm that helps carry the weight of skiers, but hitting rocks or stumps is still a real concern.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A Northern flow continues to keep cold arctic air in our region for the next few days. Expect some high overcast and possible flurries on Tuesday evening but otherwise generally clear skies. No significant snow accumulations are expected through the end of the week.

Snowpack Summary

An average of 30-50 cm of snow at treeline with up to 100 cm in alpine locations. A crust formed prior to Halloween is down 10-15 cm helping provide support for skiers. This crust disappears on N aspects around 2500m. Moderate alpine winds have created pockets of wind slab. On glaciers be wary of the ice-snow interface and check it for instability.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been observed or reported. Some small wind triggered sluffs were observed in steep gullies on Sunday with the potential to run quite far due to the presence of the Halloween crust.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

This is a typical early winter avalanche problem that exists in isolated pockets where the snow has drifted into small wind slabs and the slope is steep enough to slide. Mainly a concern for ice climbers in steep gullies or walking above cliffs.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 7th, 2017 4:00PM