Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Ice-climbers pay attention to the forecasted strong winds and warming on Tuesday. Now would be a good time to pull back and reduce your exposure to large overhead hazard.
Weather Forecast
Tuesday should bring scattered flurries (with light rain at lower elevations) and strong SW winds. Freezing levels forecasted to reach 2000m. Cooler temperatures and continued light snow forecast for Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40 cm of settled snow overtop of the Nov 5 crust. This crust ranges from 1 to10 cm thick and exists up to 2400m in the Lake Louise/Bow Summit area and to 2700 m in the Sunshine area. Wind slabs can be expected throughout the region at treeline and above. The snowpack ranges from 50-100 cm thick at treeline elevations.
Avalanche Summary
Sunshine ski resort reported several size 1 natural and skier triggered avalanches at approx 2400 m. A size 2 natural wind-slab at 2500m was reported from the Field area.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs exist in the alpine and down into treeline in many locations. This problem expected to increase throughout the day on Tuesday with forecasted strong south westerly winds.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2