Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
The recent snow has been slowly adding up at higher elevations resulting in an increased hazard rating in the alpine. The main areas of concern are steep lee areas and gullies or couloirs where a small slide could have larger consequences.
Weather Forecast
2-10 cm of new snow is expected Monday with an upslope system producing more snow in eastern areas. Skies will be cloudy and winds will taper off to light out of the North by mid morning. Freezing levels will stay near valley bottom with minimal daytime heating.
Snowpack Summary
10-25 cm of snow has fallen at treeline and alpine elevations in the past three days accompanied by moderate to strong SW/W winds. The new snow sits over various sun crusts on steep solar aspects at all elevations, and over a temperature crust on all aspects below 1800 m. Minimal new snow at valley bottom with thin areas becoming isothermal.
Avalanche Summary
Some small stubborn wind slabs were reported in immediate lee areas of the alpine by local ski hills on Sunday. A few public reports on Saturday of small natural and skier triggered wind slabs or loose dry avalanches in steep confined alpine gullies.
Confidence
Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Tuesday
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Small isolated wind slabs can be found in lee areas of the alpine that could be triggered by skiers in steep terrain. On solar aspects these wind slabs may sit over a buried sun crust that can act as a sliding layer.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Loose Dry
There has been enough recent snow to produce dry loose avalanches in steep gullies and couloirs over the past couple days. These could occur naturally with additional snow and wind, or be triggered by skiers in steep terrain.
- Be careful of loose dry sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5