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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 19th, 2019–Nov 20th, 2019
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

With a shallow early season snowpack even deep persistent weak layers lurk not far under foot. Be aware that while traveling in the back country you can easily affect all the layers of the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

A clearing trend is forecasted for the remainder of the week. Wednesday will bring slightly cooler temps before a warming trend returns for the end of the week. Wind values are expected to remain relatively light.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 30cm of winds slab is present on alpine and tree line lee slopes. This wind slab problem overlays several faceted layers in the mid pack. Well developed weak facets near the ground and the Oct crust, have resulted in easy test results in some areas. Treeline snow depths range from 50-80 cm, with up to 110 cm in wind loaded alpine areas.

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise ski resort continues to report explosive control result to size 2. These avalanches were initiated from wind slab near ridge crest, stepping down to the weak basel layers as they gained mass.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Small amounts of new snow and recent strong SW wind on Monday have created wind-slabs in lee areas in the alpine. The wind was strong enough to move snow around at treeline but slab development was less prominent at this elevation band.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal facets and Oct crust have been most reactive in the Lake Louise area, but it is likely that similar pockets exist throughout the forecast area. Keep watching for weak areas at the base of the snowpack, especially in steep or convex terrain.

  • Convex features and steep unsupported slopes will be most prone to triggering.
  • Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2