Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 19th, 2016 4:00PM

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

conrad janzen, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Some really good skiing can be found at upper elevations with fresh snow on a supportive snowpack. Watch for early season hazards at lower elevations. Ice climbers should watch for sluffing in steep gullies and small wind slabs in steep terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Slightly warmer temperatures and light SW winds with a few flurries along the divide on Sunday. Light flurries will continue through the early part of next week.

Snowpack Summary

5cm of new snow on Saturday with light winds. Recent snow has formed isolated pockets of wind slab in the alpine. The Nov 12 crust is down 15-30cm and present on all asp to 2400m and higher on solar aspects. Several crusts exist below the Nov 12 crust but overall the lower snow pack is supportive and well consolidated to the ground.

Avalanche Summary

In the last several days a few small sluffs have been observed in steep alpine gullies and there have been a few small thin wind slabs triggered by explosives in steep terrain at the local ski hills. No natural slab avalanche activity has been observed. Still limited observations in the high alpine.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Overall the recent snow is bonding well, but it is likely that a few isolated pockets of wind slab exist at higher elevations. Watch for these small wind slabs in steep committing terrain.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 20th, 2016 4:00PM