Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 3rd, 2015 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Climbers looking to scratch up barely formed water ice should have better luck this week with the temperatures. Just be careful in terrain where a small slide can have big consequences. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light gusting moderate W-NW winds for the next few days and alpine temperatures in the -10 to -12C range. Only trace amounts of snow in the forecast until Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

A first winter storm dropped 20cm below treeline and likely up to 40cm in the high alpine. Below treeline and treeline elevations are well below threshold depths for avalanches. At alpine elevations, much more snow has accumulated in gullies where spindrift has been filling them in.

Avalanche Summary

The only slides seen and reported over the past week were spindrift avalanches limited to gully features, as well as steep slopes and benches below cliffs. Only a few small slab avalanches to size 1.5 have been noted in similar features, but could be of concern while on steep debris cones at the base of gullies.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Spindrift avalanches in gully features for ice climbers will be the biggest concern. We don't expect much snow in the next few days, but its amazing how much snow can get moving in gullies if the winds pick up.

Carry avalanche safety equipment on ice climbs in avalanche terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 4th, 2015 4:00PM