Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 24th, 2014 5:23PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

conrad janzen, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The hazard in steep alpine gullies near the divide has increased to Moderate. Areas with less snow and wind remain Low. This is a good time to re familiarize yourself with the danger ratings and what types of avalanches are expected at each level.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tuesday looks like a pretty nice day with a few flurries and light winds. The snow is expected to begin on Wednesday and continue through the next couple days with significant amounts being forecast along with moderate to strong SW winds. The avalanche hazard will quickly increase when this arrives.

Snowpack Summary

Below tree line there is not enough snow for avalanches. Above 1900m a buried rain crust that formed in early November lies 20-40cm above the ground. This along with surface hoar in some areas is being buried by light snow and will create a good sliding layer as the new snow accumulates. Some lee slopes near the divide have thin wind slabs.

Avalanche Summary

A few small skier triggered avalanches have been reported in the last several days. Most of the failure have been in steep wind loaded terrain. Large sluffs were observed today on steep NE aspects near the divide on the Icefields parkway. These were big enough to push a climber off of a cliff or into a terrain trap.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Isolated, small wind slabs have been triggered on the November rain crust in steep gullies or wind loaded features. These would be of consequence if they were triggered above a terrain trap, or if they pushed you off of a cliff or ice climb.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

Significant sluffing in steep alpine gullies has been observed over the last two days near the divide along the Icefields Parkway with sluffs reaching the tops of the run out zones. This will be less of a problem in areas with little recent snow.

The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.Avoid travelling under cliffs that are exposed to sluffing from above.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 25th, 2014 4:00PM