Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Expect a small avalanche cycle Thursday if a significant storm arrives. The weak midpack is still causing problems in isolated areas.
Weather Forecast
Forecast snowfall amounts for the next day and a half range from 10-40 cms depending on the model chosen. Deeper amounts are the basis for the danger rating.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of new snow over the last couple days, becoming moist below 1700m. Buried sun crusts on solar aspects. Recent West winds have formed soft slabs in lee areas of the alpine. A firm upper snow pack sits over a generally weak mid-pack of facets and depth hoar. In shallow areas snowpack tests results are typically collapses near the ground.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported today. A couple of recent close calls are worth noting however: Monday a skier accidental size 2.5 on the Collie Glacier and on Sunday a skier accidental size 2.5 near Bow Summit.
Confidence
Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.
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.