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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 14th, 2021–Nov 15th, 2021

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Avoid avalanche terrain on Monday. New snow and wind continue to load slopes. Wait for the storm to pass and for the snow to settle before venturing back out into avalanche terrain.

Weather Forecast

Models suggest that another 20-30cm is expected overnight on Sunday, into Monday morning. In step with the continued delivery of snow load is strong wind from the West that will continue throughout Monday. Valley temps will rise above zero Monday afternoon with the alpine temps climbing to roughly -5. 

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm of storm snow since Fri evening. Rain below 1800m Sat afternoon. Down 30-50cm a thin melt-freeze crust exists in some areas that may be present up to 2500 m on solar aspects. Below this is another 10-20 cm of facetted snow over a melt-freeze crust at or near the ground. The snowpack is 45-65cm deep at treeline with more in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise ski area reported a widespread natural cycle up to size 2. At Bow Summit, forecasters observed 3 loose dry avalanches (size 1.5) that ran out of steep rocky terrain to the fans below. Forecasters are expecting that Saturday afternoon is the start of a major avalanche cycle.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain 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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.