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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 22nd, 2021–Nov 23rd, 2021

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Forecasters are still uncertain regarding the deep persistent slab problem on the Nov 5 layer. Carefully consider big terrain, especially in the alpine.

Weather Forecast

Thankfully, the strong westerly wind will subside overnight into the moderate range. A small amount of snow, in the neighborhood of 5 cm is expected Tuesday. Potentially up to 20cm is expected on Thursday. Temperatures will remain below zero in the valley, but slightly warmer than seasonal.

Snowpack Summary

5-25 cm of fresh snow in the last two days sits on a variety of surfaces: a rain crust below 2000m, a sun crust on steep solar aspects, windslabs in the alpine and exposed treeline areas and settled snow everywhere else. Melt/freeze crusts and/or facets lurk at the bottom of the snowpack. Snowpack depths at tree-line average 60-110 cm

Avalanche Summary

Both Lake Louise and Sunshine reported wind slabs in immediate alpine lee areas up to size 2. These were triggered though various ways, ski cutting, explosive and helicopter missions. No other avalanches were observed or reported.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Monday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

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.