Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

May 7 – 8, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

Warm temperatures, lots of sunshine and high freezing levels will result in an widespread avalanche cycle beginning on Wednesday. Little recovery of the temperatures are expected overnight. This is a good time to avoid all avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Warm temperatures and lots of solar radiation will result in widespread loose wet avalanches on all aspects.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    The deep persistent layers that were dormant with the recent cool temperatures are expected to "wake up" with the forecasted warm temperatures and high freezing levels on Wednesday through Saturday. Avalanches have potential to run to valley bottoms.

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility and limited observations today. Suspect some loose wet activity associated with warm temperatures and rain at lower elevations (below 2200m).

Snowpack Summary

10-25 cm of new snow and some fresh wind-slab development exist in the alpine. Warm temperatures and lots of solar radiation forecasted for Wednesday through Saturday will weaken the upper snowpack resulting in widespread loose moist avalanches.

The mid-pack persistent layer and basal depth hoar layer are expected to become active with the warm temperatures, resulting in deeper and full depth slab avalanches.

Weather Summary

A ridge of high pressure develops over the forecast area on Wednesday. This will bring warm temperatures, clear skies and rising freezing levels.

Freezing Levels are forecasted to rise to 2700m on Wednesday and above 3000m on Thursday. Little recovery of the freezing levels are expected overnight.

For more detailed weather click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The likelihood of deep persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.
  • The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.

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