Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 14th, 2017 4:00PM

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

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

New snow and wind are creating windslabs in the alpine. Expect sluffing in steep gully features above treeline.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The forecast region will be influenced by a trough late Wednesday. Expect to see a sharp drop in temperature with a steady feed of snowfall. Accumulations of up to another 20cm is expected by the end of Friday. Wind is primarily coming from the south and expected to be in the moderate range.

Snowpack Summary

5-10cm of new snow overnight brings the snowpack to ~70cm at treeline with up to 100 cm in alpine locations. Oct 31 crust is now buried 20-25cm down. Snowpack tests showed breaking below the Oct 31 crust today. The crust disappears on N aspects at ~2500m. Wind transport was observed in the alpine with a high likelihood of wind slab development.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Tuesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent new snow and wind are making wind slabs more active. Watch for them in lee areas.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 15th, 2017 4:00PM