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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2024–Apr 22nd, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

There's still some good skiing/riding and climbing to be had for those motivated!

The recent snow and winds have formed windslabs in the alpine and into treeline. While small (ish), they can have big consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully monitor the amount of snow in lee features of the alpine/treeline.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Over the last couple of days some small, fresh windslabs and sluffs have been triggered in the surface snow in the alpine. Ski hills reported ski-cutting the windsalbs in isolated features up to size 1.

The recent cool temperatures have temporarily slowed down the deeper avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 5 cm of new snow sits on crusts treeline and below and crusts up to ridge crest on southerly aspects. There is dry snow above 2200m on northerly aspects which is wind effected on all aspects from variable winds.

In the mid-pack, the Feb 3 persistent layer (crust/facet layer) remains a concern on northerly alpine aspects near 2300m and above where no crusts have formed to date. This layer is a greater concern in thick to thin areas.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night: Trace amounts of snow, low of -5 °C winds out of the west, gusting into the strong range.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud, no precip. High -3 ° in the alpine, freezing levels up to 2000m. Winds are expected to be up to 30km/h out of the west.

Tuesday: Sunny with cloudy periods, no precip. Freezing levels up to 2400m.

For more detailed weather click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Problems

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.