Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 10th, 2020–Nov 11th, 2020

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

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

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

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

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

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

New snow won't likely stick to the Nov.5 crust very well. There's not much snow over it yet, but watch for any local wind slabs or power sluffing in steep terrain. The crust carries really well for skiing.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: Cold in the AM (down to -20C) with SW alpine winds increasing from light to moderate over the day. No new snow expected.

Thursday: Still fairly chilly with winds increasing into the strong range. No new snow expected.

For more weather information click here.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of low density new snow sits on top of a widely variable snowpack. The Nov 5 rain crust sits 20cm off the ground with facets below, is up to 15cm thick, and has been observed to 2500m. At treeline the snowpack ranges from 30-70 cm deep. Some wind slab development in alpine areas, but we have limited observations.

Avalanche Summary

Climbers observed large, loose dry avalanches today in the Storm Creek drainage. These possibly were sliding on the harder surfaces below. Some smaller soft slabs were noted at the Lake Louise ski hill. We still have limited observations from higher alpine terrain.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Some new and older wind slabs are suspected to exist in higher alpine terrain. Having said this, we have only a few observations, and don't know how prevalent they are in higher alpine terrain.

Be careful around wind loaded areas near ridge crests, cross loaded gullies and roll-overs.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

A short term problem which is mainly directed at climbers with terrain overhead. Some big power sluffs today with minimal wind input. Likely some of the snow is sliding on the harder surface it sits on. If winds increase, this problem will pick up.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5