Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 11th, 2020 5:49PM

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

Ian Jackson,

Climbers and steep skiers watch out! Incoming wind will blow all this light new snow easily. Expect loose dry avalanches out of steep terrain. They may not be huge but they could easily ruin your day!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Cold temps (-10 to -15) with alpine winds increasing into the strong range from the SW. Light snow starting in the evening

Friday: Slightly warmer but continued moderate to strong alpine winds, overcast skies and light snow.

For more weather information click here.

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm of low density snow sits on the Nov. 5th rain crust which exists up to 2400 m near Bow Summit and Lake Louise and higher in the Sunshine area. This crust is 5-10 cm thick and ~ 20 cm above the ground. On solar aspects, a sun crust from previous warm temperatures exists to higher elevations. At treeline the snowpack ranges from 30-70 cm deep

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of a loose dry cycle to size 2 out of steep alpine terrain in the Bow Summit area from the previous 24 hours. Mostly out of steep gullies or climbing terrain. Noted two older deeper slabs out of high alpine terrain on the Wapta, but nothing fresh.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

We expect natural loose dry activity to increase with the forecasted winds

  • 874
  • Avoid terrain traps, such as gullies, where the consequences of a small avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Forecasted moderate to strong SW winds on Thursday will likely create fresh windslabs in lee terrain

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
  • Be careful around wind loaded areas near ridge crests, cross loaded gullies and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 12th, 2020 4:00PM