Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
While the alpine snowpack structure does not inspire too much confidence, we have been through a good test. With long periods of above freezing temperatures near mountain top and many people out exploring, no avalanche activity has been reported.
Avalanche Problem 1: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Avalanche Summary
During the last few days with inverted temperatures yielding above freezing conditions treeline and above, only a few very small loose wet avalanches in the alpine were observed. These were in steep rocky terrain that was in the sun, and sheltered from the wind. Where observed, these did not triggered any deeper weaknesses.
Snowpack Summary
Extensive wind effect at treeline and above. Sun crusts are present on some steep south facing slopes. Surface hoar up to 25mm has formed below 2200m and surface faceting is in progress. 15-40 cm of snow lies over the Nov 27th and Nov 23rd crusts. Both of these now overlie the Halloween crust/facet layer that sits 30-50cm above the ground.
Weather Forecast
The high pressure system remains entrenched over the Rockies until at least Friday. The temperature inversion will rebuild Monday with mountain-top freezing levels through midday Tuesday. Moderate winds can be expected at upper elevations and lower in areas that funnel West winds.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).
Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/banff-yoho-kootenay.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
Some uncertainty for triggering the Halloween layer remains but we have come through a warm period and a lot of skier testing produced no activity over the past five days. These slabs still deserve respect in steep and shallow areas.