Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Nov 21 – 22, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The majority of the recent avalanche activity has been in the Sunshine and Lake Louise backcountry with forecasters remote triggering a size 2 on Nov. 20th. The danger ratings may be higher in these areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    The wind slab problem seems to be most active in Eastern areas where there was more wind effect during the Nov. 18th. wind event.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5
    We are seeing occasional skiier triggered and explosive controlled avalanches on the Oct 26 crust at local ski areas. This problem seems to be most reactive in areas where the wind has created more of a slab on top of it.

Weather Forecast

One more day of clear weather before a storm moves in from the SW. Expect alpine winds to pick up to strong SW by Wednesday afternoon. Models are showing 2-10 cm on Thursday and an additional 5-10 cm on Friday. Northern areas should see the highest snow amounts. Winds should ease to moderate from the SW with the incoming storm.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of facetted surface snow with surface hoar forming at all elevations. Wind effect at treeline and above has scoured ridge crests and created wind slabs in the alpine. 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

Avalanche activity seems to be more active around the local ski hills than in the Icefields Parkway area. Forecasters on a trip into the lake louise backcountry on Tuesday had several whumphs in alpine and treeline areas that had been wind affected and remote triggered a size 2 on a NE aspect at 2300m that failed on facets near the ground

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered