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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 10th, 2023–Nov 13th, 2023

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

Regions

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

The avalanche hazard will build through the day on Saturday. Ice climbers should expect avalanches in extreme terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Both loose and windslab natural avalanches are expected as the storm develops through Saturday and overnight to Sunday.

Over the past week, small slab avalanches were triggered and observed in lee loaded features and were posted to the mountain information network.

Snowpack Summary

At treeline snow depths are 15-30 cm. In the alpine, lee features have 40-80 cm of wind-loaded snow with a weak faceted base. The incoming storm may double the snowpack in a 24 hour period!

Weather Summary

Saturday 10-20 cm forecasted with highest amounts along the Divide and Hwy 93-N. Strong to extreme SW winds. Freezing levels 1600-1800 m with rain in the valley bottoms.

Overnight - Another 5-15 cm of snow with rain at the valley bottoms. Greater amounts will occur along the Continental Divide and along HWY 93 N.

Storm totals will range from 15-35 cm.

Sunday skies clear.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.

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.