Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Nov 15 – 16, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
Early season
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Highlights

Pay attention, Early Season Conditions still exist with lots of rocks lurking just below the surface. Forecasters are dealing with very limited observations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Small wind-slabs up to size 2 can be expected in the alpine and exposed tree-line locations.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Recent snow and continued winds have created loose dry avalanches in steep terrain. Ice climbers pay attention to terrain traps as sluffs may run a significant distance in steep or confined terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several small (Size 1) skier controlled wind slabs were reported on Sunday. No new avalanches reported on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

40-60 cm settled snow at tree-line. The Nov 11 storm produced 10-30 cm that was redistributed by strong south winds. Pockets of reactive wind slabs can be expected in the alpine and exposed tree-line terrain.

Weather Summary

A ridge will build on Wednesday, followed by more of a westerly flow on Thursday. Little moisture however is expected to reach the forecast area.

East of the Divide isolated flurries through Thur. West of the Divide 2-4 cm on Wednesday. Westerly winds 20-30 Km/h on Wed and increasing on Thur

For more info please see the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.

Regions covered