Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Nov 19 – 20, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Good skiing can be found in sheltered areas following the strong winds on Saturday night. Keep an eye out for wind slab development as a result of these winds, and keep checking the bond around the Oct 26 crust if you venture into bigger terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5
    The wind slab problem seems to be most active in Eastern areas where greater amounts of recent storm snow were available to be moved around by the wind.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    We are seeing occasional explosive controlled avalanches on the Oct 26 crust at local ski areas, failing on facets either above or below the crust, but little natural or skier triggered activity. The lower likelihood makes it a bit hard to predict.

Weather Forecast

Clear weather is expected for the next couple days with light to moderate SW winds. Overnight lows of -12 to -14C with daytime highs of -2 to -4C at treeline.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of recent storm snow. Wind effect at treeline and above scouring exposed ridge crests and building wind slabs in the alpine, especially in our eastern forecast regions. The Oct 26 crust is roughly 30 cm above the ground with facets above and below it. It is present up to 2800m on shady aspects, and at higher elevations on solar aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Several explosive triggered wind slabs up to size 2.5 were reported today at the Sunshine ski area following moderate to strong NW winds overnight. These failed on the October 26 crust and ran a long distance. Natural activity has been minimal in the last couple days with some wind triggered sluffs in steep terrain and isolated smaller slabs.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Regions covered