Parks Canada Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks Issued: Saturday, November 17, 2007 15:39 Valid Until: Sunday, November 18, 2007 1600 Bulletin Area: This forecast covers the east and west sides of the Continental Divide from the Wapta Icefields area in the north to the Sunshine area in the south. It also includes the Main Range area from Lake Louise to Bow Summit. Danger Rating: Saturday Sunday Monday Alpine Moderate Moderate Moderate Treeline Moderate Moderate Moderate Below Treeline Low Low Low Synopsis: The Rockies experienced mild daytime temperatures and light snowfall amounts in the past 24 hours. As a result, we are seeing some gains in mid pack strength but the deeper instabilities still exist. The facets overlying the October raincrust are still reactive to large loads. This was illustrated at both Lake Louise and Sunshine resorts with avalanches to size 2.5 being produced with explosive control. These avalanches were released in steeper unsupported terrain and ran quite far for the early season. For backcountry users the message is clear, triggering an avalanche with serious consequences is still possible in the right terrain feature. At and above treeline, steep unsupported features on Northerly/Easterly aspects should be treated with caution. Unfortunately in many areas these are the most inviting lines. Watch for the possibility of 5 cm of new snow along the Divide tonight with winds getting into the moderate range. We don't expect this snowfall to push the snow pack to threshold levels. Avalanche Activity: Explosive controlled avalanches at Sunshine Resort produced slabs to size 2.5 in steep uncompacted areas. The same results on a slightly smaller scale occurred at Lake Louise with slabs to size 2 being created. No new natural avalanches were observed today in the back country around the 2 resorts or along the Kootenay Parkway. Outlook: The Rockies should start to see the temperatures drop next week with lows to -15 C expected. We will see more facetting around the October 25 raincrust and a slow weakening trend which won't get tested until the next big load. Travel Conditions: Well, don't try a ski tour with a low elevation start right now. Right off the highway along the Divide in Kootenay there is still more grass than snow! This made for very poor skiing but reasonable hiking to places such as the Stanley head wall. The low elevation ice climbs such as Haffener Creek are not looking too promising yet with the warmer temperatures we have been experiencing. MH FOR MORE DETAILS: Warden Office: (403) 762-1470 24 Hours Recorded Message: (403) 762-1460