Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 4th, 2019 8:54PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Dry and Wind Slabs.
Conrad Janzen,
Parks Canada
Tuesday is a day to avoid steep alpine gullies where the new snow and wind will combine to create loose dry avalanches and small wind slabs that could funnel onto climbers or skiers. Things improve Wednesday with cooler temperatures and light winds.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A cold front moving through the region on Tuesday may result in as much as 10-15 cm of new snow by Tuesday night. Temperatures will start falling throughout the day to reach the -10 to -15 'C range by the end of the day, and winds will start out strong and gusty from the West and diminish through the afternoon.
Snowpack Summary
2-5 cm of new snow on Monday with gusty alpine winds and warm temperatures. Moist snow below 2300 m. Treeline snow depths range from 30-50 cm with up to 80 cm in the lee features. In general the snowpack is still thin, weak and highly variable in depth. An October crust has been providing support to help ski travel. Limited snow below treeline.
Avalanche Summary
A couple large dry loose avalanches/sluffs up to size 1.5 were observed Monday in steep alpine gullies near Bow Lake. One small natural wind slab observed in alpine terrain near Bow Summit.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday
Problems
Loose Dry
Ice climbers should be aware of the potential for loose snow avalanches in steep gullies on Tuesday as new snow and strong winds provide rapid loading in steep alpine terrain.
- Be cautious with gully features.
- The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Strong winds and the forecast new snow will create pockets of wind slab in the alpine and possibly into treeline, and bury some small older wind slabs. 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
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 5th, 2019 4:00PM
