Avalanche Forecast

Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks

Date issued

Oct 2, 2017 - 2:45 PM

Valid until

until further notice

Prepared by

grant statham

The week of October 3-5 looks like excellent weather. For any high elevation pursuits, be aware of the new snow over the past few weeks and there could be up to one meter on high elevation north aspects. Be wary of fresh windslabs.

Danger Ratings
Problems
Details

Early Season Conditions

Insufficient observations exist to reliably rate the avalanche danger. Expect shallow snow cover with thinly buried rocks and trees just beneath the surface. Avalanche danger often concentrates in gullies and other deposition areas, where windslabs may bond poorly to a weak underlying base. Deeper snow usually exists at higher elevations.

More Early Season Details

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity has been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Several autumn snow storms have now deposited the base of this winter's snowpack at the high elevations in the Rockies. Expect this snow to remain on all aspects above 2500m, with pockets of windslab and fragile cornices starting to appear on ridge crests and in leeward areas. Be particularly wary of unstable snow on steep, high elevation glaciers.

Weather Forecast

The week of October 3-6 looks excellent, with blue sky and crisp autumn temperatures. This could be the last nice week for any mountaineering objectives before winter truly sets in. The deep snowpack could begin to accumulate at any time.

Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

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