Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
There is lots of fresh powder to enjoy, but recent winds will have created fresh wind slabs. A cautious approach to open terrain at and above tree line is needed.
Weather Forecast
No new snow forecasted for Monday, but winds are expected to pick up from the west into the moderate to strong range at ridgetops. Light snow will begin again on Tuesday.
Snowpack Summary
15-30 cm of storm snow at tree-line sits over top of a rain crust (below 2300m). Strong winds forecasted for Monday will create fresh wind-slabs in the alpine and down into tree-line. The thin October crust and facets in the lower snowpack have been found up to about 2300m. Tree-line snow depths range from 60-80 cm deep (up to 110 cm in lee areas).
Avalanche Summary
Lake Louise ski hill reported widespread natural cycle in storm snow up to size 1.5. Several size 2.5 slabs observed in Yoho that originated near ridge-top and ran to top of track.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
There is lots of fresh snow available for transport and winds are forecasted to be in the mod to strong range on Monday. Fresh and reactive wind slabs can be expected.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
A thin crust formed in Oct. with facets exists in the lower snowpack. Smaller wind slabs could step down to this deeper layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Dry
This problem will be most prevalent in gullies and confined terrain at and above treeline.
- 874
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5