Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Nov 22 – 23, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Snowpack is still shallow. Pay attention to rocks hiding just below the surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Loose snow avalanches triggered by the sun can be expected out of steep rocky terrain.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    The lower snowpack consists of weak facets. There is potential for avalanches to step down to this deeper layer.

Weather Forecast

Friday will be mixed sun and cloud with no snow expected. Day time high in Lake Louise area will be around -2. Light snow begins on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of facetted snow overtop of a melt freeze crust from early November (crust only exists below 2300 m). Below this crust unconsolidated facets exist to ground. Treeline snow depths range from 50-80 cm, with up to 110 cm in wind loaded alpine areas. Isolated areas of wind slab exist at ridgetops and cross loaded features.

Avalanche Summary

On field trip to Bow Summit several loose dry avalanches observed from steep, rocky alpine terrain to size 1.5. These appeared to be triggered by solar warming.

Confidence

Regions covered