Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Weather Forecast
Westerly flow will bring light snowfall amounts and light winds for the next few days but the main criteria this weekend will be warming temperature & rising freezing levels exceeding 1800 meters by Saturday afternoon. This will be one of the most significant weather criteria and needs to be monitored closely.
Snowpack Summary
The storm snow from last week's storm is a soft slab in sheltered locations and wind scoured and hard wind slab in open terrain at tree line and above. The lower half of the snowpack is complex and poorly structured, comprised of the facets (Nov 24th) at the interface of the recent storm snow and a series of thin crusts (Nov 6th) and depth hoar.
Avalanche Summary
There has not been a great deal of natural activity observed however explosive results were reported from around the ski areas and produced slab avalanches up to size 2.5 with the slab failing on the basal facets and crusts right on the ground. These kinds avalanches are a dirty & rough ride through scree, rocks and trees & are human trigger able.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Wind Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 2