Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–2
Strong winds have created windslabs in leeward areas that are becoming stiff enough for a human trigger. Avoid all steep leeward avalanche terrain on Thursday.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapBanff Yoho Kootenay
Nov 15 – 16, 2018Parks Canada
Archived · expired 8 years ago
Avalanche danger
Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
Highlights
The storm arrived mid-day Wednesday and deposited 15 cm by mid-afternoon. Forecast models are now calling for a total of 30-40 cm by the end of the day on Thursday. Watch out for fresh windslabs and overhead hazard at treeline.
Avalanche problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
NNEESESSWWNW- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely - Possible
- Size
- 1–2
This problem is found in most north facing (shaded) terrain up to 2800m, and will become more reactive as the storm deposits more load. Recommend avoiding all steep alpine terrain for the next few days.
Weather Forecast
A strong westerly flow is bringing moisture and wind across the region through until early Friday morning. Forecast models are calling for another 20-25 cm on Thursday for a total of 35-40 through the whole storm. Expect strong Westerly winds at ridge crests and temperatures steady around -5. Clearing and cold air for the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Windslabs forming in alpine and treeline areas starting late Wednesday with drifts up to 30cm deep in the lee. These slabs will continue to build overnight and should be easy to trigger by Thursday. This new snow overlies a weak, facetted base which produces test failures on the Oct 26 melt-freeze crust 30-40 cm above the ground.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported today. Sunshine Village reported that the windslabs were just starting to become stiff enough to create a soft slab late in the afternoon.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday