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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 27th, 2024–Nov 28th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

The Oct crust is the layer of greatest concern on large alpine slopes. If winds pick up more than forecast, watch for wind slab formation locally.

Ski quality has improved up high where there is a consistent snowpack, but it is still pretty rugged at treeline and below.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today. Yesterday, however, some deep slabs with explosives were reported at Sunshine and Lake Louise ski hills, and a natural size two was seen on Scarab Peak in the Sunshine backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of recent storm snow lies on an early-season snowpack measuring 50-90 cm at treeline. Two weak layers are present: the November 9 crust, found 25-40 cm above the ground, and an October crust near the ground, where facets and depth hoar are developing. Observations of the October layer are limited, but it appears most prominent on northerly aspects at treeline and above.

Weather Summary

Low of -15C and highs of -5C Thursday. Light to moderate alpine winds and no snow. See image below for tables.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be aware of the possibility for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Pay attention to the wind; once it starts to blow, sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.