Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Nov 16 – 17, 2013Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

The hazard is rising. The areas with enough snow to ski are also the features that will be the most likely places for triggering these avalanches. Ice climbers should be aware of increased loading going on above them over the next few days. CJ

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    New snow and moderate W winds have created slabs that are susceptible to human triggering especially in the alpine. These areas may be tempting for skiers as they have greater snow depth than the surrounding terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    In some alpine areas there is enough new snow that storm slab failures have been observed. These have been failing on the new snow interfaces or on the basal facets. Give this some time to settle out before entering committing terrain.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Another 10-15cm of snow is expected over the next couple of days. Temperatures will begin falling as the winds shift to the NW with overnight lows near -18'C. Gusty winds will continue for the next 24 hrs and then ease off slightly.

Snowpack Summary

20-40cm of storm slab exists above treeline with moderate West winds loading N and E aspects and forming soft and hard wind slabs. Near Lake Louise the Nov 13 sun crust can be found on steep solar aspects. In the alpine the Oct 27 melt freeze crust near the base of the snowpack continues to provide a good sliding layer over the basal facets.

Avalanche Summary

Storm slabs on lee and cross loaded features have been easily triggered by skiers or explosives over the past 24 hours up to size 2. These are running in the storm snow and on the Oct 27 melt freeze crust or basal facets, and in some locations on a Nov 13 sun crust. Cornices are fragile and growing, and several recent failures have been observed.

Regions covered