Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Pay attention to local winds there is a lot of snow available for transport. We expect fresh wind slab development overnight and tomorrow morning and may see some avalanche activity associated with wind loading. (LP)
Weather Forecast
Overnight moderate to strong NW winds are forecasted for the region. Winds should taper and temperatures will rise through the day on Friday. By the weekend, alpine temperatures will be near -3C, with light winds and a mix of sun and cloud.
Snowpack Summary
Thirty to 50 cm of low density storm snow was received earlier in the week. Sunshine has reported lots of reactive wind and storm slabs while north of Lake Louise wind effect not been as wide-spread. The mid pack is slowly gaining a bit of strength. The Oct rain crust persists at ground level in some alpine terrain.
Avalanche Summary
A couple of new observations from Observation Peak where two size 2 avalanches were reported in cross-loaded gully features, SE/SW aspects. Bow Summit had a size 3 reported click here for the photo. For a video of the size 3 explosive triggered slide in Delerium Dive yesterday click here (thanks to Sunshine Snowsafety team). It was on NE aspect.
Confidence
Due to the quality of field observations
Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.
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.