Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Nov 7 – 8, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Recent wind and persistent slab activity in the region over the past few days.

It's still early, ski and ride with care as rocks, stumps and open creeks would be an easy way to end the season.

Thanks to those who are posting on the MIN.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Strong winds and the new snow has created pockets of wind slab treeline and above. Watch for wind affected areas in steep terrain while climbing or skiing.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    A thin crust exists in the lower snowpack and has been the failure plane for a few skier accidental avalanches in the past 4 days to size 2.0.

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud for Thursday, light to moderate SW winds, daytime high of -2 with no snow in the forecast. Friday will see cloud and light flurries throughout the day.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm in the past 3 days in the Bow Summit area, accompanied by strong winds produced wind affected snow in the alpine. Treeline snow depths range from 60-70 cm, and up to 110 cm in lee areas. Today's field trip found the October crust present in some areas and has been the failure plane in recent skier involvements.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous dry loose avalanches in the region today from steep rocky terrain triggered by solar input. Received a third hand report of a full burial in the Observation Peak area on Sunday afternoon, no injuries. Size 1.0 skier remote also occurred in the same area yesterday. Explosive work on Mt. Stephan triggered windslabs sz 2-2.5.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Regions covered