Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
Recent snowfall has improved the skiing at higher elevations. Watch for rocks and hidden hazards.
The Oct 23 layer may become more reactive to skier traffic with increased load.
If the wind picks up, then keep and eye out for windslabs and sluffing.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Sunshine had one explosive result on Nov 20th, a size 2 cornice release into Delirium Dive.
Over the past week several avalanches have released with explosive triggers on the Oct 23 layer on North-East aspects. A few size 1 explosive results on the Nov 9 crust but no new windslabs.
Snowpack Summary
10-30 cm of low density storm snow sits over an early season snowpack ranging from 50-90 cm at TL. Two weak layers exist: a Nov 9 crust/surface hoar 25-40 cm above the ground, and an Oct crust/facet layer right above the ground. Avalanches have been failing on the Oct crust in alpine areas with explosives at Lake Louise ski hill. We have limited observations of how widespread this layer is, but we think the Oct crust is more prominent at treeline and above on Northerly aspects.
Weather Summary
The "bomb cyclone" is continuing to weaken and move offshore with an Arctic cold front descending from the north and out on to the prairie. Friday, winds will remain light with precipitation around 5cm, overcast skies and seasonal temperatures.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Avoid steep terrain, including convex rolls, or areas with a thin, rocky, or variable snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
The Oct 23 crust, is just above the ground with weak facets above it, has been associated with explosive-triggered avalanches up to size 2 every day this week. So the problem exists and persists, and we suspect it is widespread across our region. This layer appears to be more reactive around 2400m
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2