Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Nov 11 – 12, 2015Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Lots of keen climbers and skiers out there, but the snowpack is weak and skiing is marginal in all but high, glaciated terrain. People are triggering avalanches, and it looks like the first avalanche cycle of the winter on Friday and Saturday!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Avalanches up to 50 cm deep are being triggered in many areas in high alpine, glaciated terrain. Watch out for windloaded features which should be avoided at this time as triggering is easy.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    The entire snowpack is unconsolidated, and loose avalanches have been observed to have run through confined gully areas - this is something ice climbers should keep in mind as they consider any overhead hazards to their routes.

Weather Forecast

Looks like a stormy week ahead, as a NW flow brings 10 cm of snow by mid-day on Wednesday while temperatures remain cool (-8 to -11). After a short break on Thursday, looks like a pumper of a storm for Friday with amounts up to 30 cm being predicted . . . alas, accompanied by significant warming. Expect an avalanche cycle on Friday up high.

Snowpack Summary

Total snowpack depths range from 35-45 cm at treeline across the forecast area with a 5mm layer of surface hoar on the surface. Approximately 25 cm of light snow overlies slightly stronger layer that sits on the ground. Two shears exist: one on the ground, and another down 15 cm from the top. Overall this snowpack is weak with little structure.

Avalanche Summary

Slabs and loose snow avalanches have been triggered and are running naturally from alpine features, up to about size 2.5. In confined areas, the debris has run down to treeline areas. Today at Bow Summit a size 1.5 avalanche was remotely triggered on the ground, 35m ride and ran 80 m. On the Wapta, a group remotely triggered a size 2 on Mt. Olive.

Confidence

Regions covered