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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Nov 22nd, 2020–Nov 23rd, 2020
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Potential still exists to trigger wind slabs on steep alpine features like convex roll overs and couloirs. Conditions appear to be improving but step out with forethought and careful consideration.

Weather Forecast

Seasonal temperatures will persist in the region for the next 3 days. The valley will be near zero, with the ridge line being about -10. Upper level winds are expected to drop significantly tomorrow, with calm conditions up high. This will be disrupted by a once again strong wind pattern from the SW on Tues. Snow arriving again late Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs present at treeline and above from W-SW winds. At treeline 20-50 cm of storm snow sits over a layer of preserved stellars. The Nov. 5 facet/crust combo is down 50-80 cm and producing variable test results from easy to hard. The Nov crust extends up to 2500 m on N aspects and higher on solar aspects. Snow depths at treeline are 50-130 cm.

Avalanche Summary

Today's field team, was near Bow Summit today. No avalanches were observed or reported in that area. Sunshine ski patrol, however, did report a size 2.5 avalanche that ran near the ground, likely yesterday, but was observed today. Control work at Sunshine produced avalanches up to size 1.5, in the form of wind slabs.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Sunday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Little wind slab activity was observed today, even with evidence of the public skiing steeper alpine features on Sunday. Wind slabs can be felt underfoot in many locations, however the sensitivity has decreased. Don't let your guard down yet.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The Nov.5 crust/ facet layer exists up to 2500m on shady aspects, and higher on solar aspects. Where there is a dense slab overlying this layer, it remains a concern, and likely will be for the foreseeable future.

  • Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2