Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 27th, 2016 4:00PM

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

conrad janzen, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Good skiing remains in sheltered areas at treeline and above with good travel conditions overall. Use caution in lee areas as the recent wind slabs can still be triggered in steep terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud and only a few cm of snow over the next few days with a slight cooling trend and light NW winds.

Snowpack Summary

10-35cm of recent snow with W winds has formed wind slabs in many areas above treeline. The Nov 12 crust down 20-50cm is slowly facetting and weakening. This crust is found everywhere except on high N slopes. At this point the bond to the crust seems strong in most places.Â Below this the base is quite supportive except in thin snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

A couple very small wind slabs both natural and skier triggered were observed Sunday in steep terrain but very little avalanche activity overall. Not much activity reported at the local ski hills.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Still limited observations in high alpine terrain but overall the newly formed wind slabs are becoming more difficult to trigger. Watch locally for their presence in lee terrain.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 28th, 2016 4:00PM