Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Two size 2.5 avalanches released on the november crust in the lake louise area today. One was skier trigger, no involvement.
Weather Forecast
Clear skies, light wind and very cold temperatures are forecasted for the next three days.
Snowpack Summary
20-30cm of recent storm snow from the weekend with only isolated areas of wind slab development, primarily at ridge crests in the alpine. The November crust is down 30-70cm with recent observations showing faceting above and below. The faceting process is in progress and will soon affect the entire snowpack due to current cold temperatures.
Avalanche Summary
Two size 2.5 avalanches reported today in the Lake Louise area, one was skier triggered. Both avalanches released on the november crust. Observer natural isolated avalanche activity to size1.5, thin slab releases out of steep alpine lees as the recent storm snow failed on old faceted surface.
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.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.