Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 2nd, 2020–Nov 3rd, 2020

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Alpine areas have enough snow to produce avalanches, especially in steep loaded gully features. At treeline the snowpack is thin and travel is rugged. Ease into the season and avoid hitting rocks and trees just below the surface. More snow is coming!

Weather Forecast

A storm is forecast to arrive on Wednesday November 4th which may bring enough precipitation to increase the avalanche hazard. See the Mountain Weather Forecast for up to date weather information.

Snowpack Summary

30-70 cm of snow is present at treeline elevations. A temperature (Halloween) crust from recent rain and warm temps is present below 1850 m and to ridge top on steep solar aspects. Alpine areas have pockets of wind slab from strong SW winds and recent snow.

Avalanche Summary

A few small natural avalanches have been observed recently. We have seen a couple loose wet avalanches out of steep rocky terrain during periods of high heat inputs, and some sluffing and wind slabs in steep loaded alpine gullies up to size 2 following the most recent snowfall and wind.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.