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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 22nd, 2023–Nov 23rd, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Early Season
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be early season
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Early Season
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be early season
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
Early Season
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be early season

Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.

The light snow and wind forecasted tonight will not affect the hazard rating. Some places are below threshold to avalanche, but if there is snow, be wary!

Early Season Conditions means high variability right now.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, several avalanches up to size 2 were observed in the Bow Summit area. These were on both solar and shaded aspects and likely both cornice and temperature triggered. In other areas, several wind triggered avalanche up to size 1.5 were observed in extreme alpine terrain.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of snow overlies alpine and treeline areas that were previously scoured by strong SW winds. Snowpack depths range from 30-50 cm at treeline and 40-80 cm in the alpine with deeper pockets of wind deposited snow in lee areas. A melt-freeze crust has formed on the surface from recent solar input on south and west aspects. The bottom of the snowpack consists of a buried crust and facets.

Weather Summary

Light snow on Tuesday night. Trace amounts are expected along the divide and to the west but up to 5 cm may fall around the Banff townsite and possibly more to the east

Winds will remain light with freezing levels at valley bottom.

Skies clear on Thursday as a ridge sets up with dry, clear and calm conditions for the weekend.

For more details click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Many places with enough snow to avalanche have a weak layer of facets and/or a melt freeze crust at the base of the snowpack. This layer has become less sensitive, but can still be triggered.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5