Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Recent wind and persistent slab activity in the region over the past few days.
It's still early, ski and ride with care as rocks, stumps and open creeks would be an easy way to end the season.
Thanks to those who are posting on the MIN.
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud for Thursday, light to moderate SW winds, daytime high of -2 with no snow in the forecast. Friday will see cloud and light flurries throughout the day.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm in the past 3 days in the Bow Summit area, accompanied by strong winds produced wind affected snow in the alpine. Treeline snow depths range from 60-70 cm, and up to 110 cm in lee areas. Today's field trip found the October crust present in some areas and has been the failure plane in recent skier involvements.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous dry loose avalanches in the region today from steep rocky terrain triggered by solar input. Received a third hand report of a full burial in the Observation Peak area on Sunday afternoon, no injuries. Size 1.0 skier remote also occurred in the same area yesterday. Explosive work on Mt. Stephan triggered windslabs sz 2-2.5.
Confidence
Due to the number and quality of field observations
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong winds and the new snow has created pockets of wind slab treeline and above. Watch for wind affected areas in steep terrain while climbing or skiing.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A thin crust exists in the lower snowpack and has been the failure plane for a few skier accidental avalanches in the past 4 days to size 2.0.
- Convex features and steep unsupported slopes will be most prone to triggering.
- Remote triggering is possible, watch out for adjacent slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2