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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 14th, 2023–Nov 15th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Early Season

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

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

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.

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.

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.