Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 10th, 2012–Nov 11th, 2012

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Little Yoho.

Travel is generally good, but it is still early season and the consequences of even a small ride could be very serious.

Weather Forecast

Cold temps will last for one more day before a weak NW to Westerly shift will bring some light precipitation and milder temperatures for Monday

Snowpack Summary

Facetting and slow storm snow settlement with cold temps. The November 6 crust is weak above 22000m but more developed at lower treeline elevations. I Isolated wind slabs in open areas.

Avalanche Summary

A large deep slab avalanche was observed on the N Face of Mt.Haddo near Lake Louise that likely failed on old firn snow. This avalanche was a 3 and occurred on Wed., but shows that in the right location in the alpine things may not be so stable.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.