Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Nov 26th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.

stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Good ski quality out there in sheltered locations. Watch locally for wind slabs that have formed on your route. Some below treeline areas (Hwy 93 North) are reaching threshold for avalanches, while many others are still down to the dirt. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Only a few cm of snow Sunday and dying Westerly winds with a cooling trend.Â Monday and Tuesday look much the same.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 30cm of new snow over the last 48 hours (lesser amounts in the E) with shifty winds forming wind slabs.Â Below this 15-30 cm of recent snow sits on top of a crust which is slowly breaking down.Â This crust is found everywhere except on high N slopes. The bond to the crust seems strong in most places and sits over a strong base for now.

Avalanche Summary

Not much activity reported at the ski hills today.Â There was less wind affect than expected.Â Some size 1-1.5 in the immediate lees of ridges were triggered with explosives.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Saturday

Problems

Wind Slabs

We have limited observations from high elevations but from the reports we do have, the newly formed wind slabs do not seem as rampant as expected. Watch locally for their presence in lee terrain.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

This problem should decrease with the current forecast, but climbers and skiers in gullies should be watching locally for wind as there is a fair amount of snow clinging to side walls.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.Be very cautious with gully features.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Nov 27th, 2016 4:00PM