Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Nov 17 – 18, 2015Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Another storm is heading our way, with up to 40 cm predicted by Wed. Expect an avalanche cycle on Tues which builds through the day and peaks that night. Avoid avalanche terrain; the hazard will improve later this week when the deep freeze arrives.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    In alpine areas, strong winds have been redistributing the loose snow into leeward areas where windslab failures should be expected in the upper 50 cm on leeward terrain. These areas can be predictable, and can be avoided with careful route finding.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    70cm of recent snow has deposited the majority of the total snowpack within the last week. This is thick layer of solid snow, but its bond to underlying surfaces is suspect. Avalanches failing near the ground should be expected in starting zone areas

Weather Forecast

Here comes another storm! The next system in a NW flow will hit the region starting Monday night; expect 10 cm by Tuesday morning, then another 20-30 cm is forecast through the day and into Tuesday night. This storm is accompanied by strong winds in excess of 100 km/hr in the high alpine, and rising temperatures. On Wednesday, clear skies and -20.

Snowpack Summary

In the Sunshine backcountry today, 90 cm of total snow on the ground, with most of it having fallen within the last week. The snow is well consolidated, but not glued to the ground very well with two column test failures at the ground level. A layer of surface hoar exists 15-20 cm off the ground, but no test results were found on this layer today.

Avalanche Summary

Less avalanche activity reported today with the temperatures cooling 10 degrees in the past 24-hours. Lake Louise ski area today threw numerous explosives with only small avalanches as a result. Evidence of a widespread avalanche cycle of large avalanches in the last 72-hours.

Confidence

on Tuesday

Regions covered