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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

May 2nd, 2024–May 3rd, 2024

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

We are in a period of rapid change between cold and stormy conditions, to warm spring conditions, which has the potential to wake up basal weaknesses. Deep persistent slabs are particularly difficult to forecast and uncertainty will be high as the snowpack adjusts.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday we received several reports of wind slabs, loose dry, and loose wet avalanches up to size 2 out of alpine terrain.

A size 2 skier accidental on a north aspect adjacent to the ski hill failed as a wind slab on a crust at the storm snow interface.

A size 3 deep persistent slab on a north aspect was reported just to the west of BNP.

Snowpack Summary

35cm of storm snow overlays crusts on all aspects except north (above 2400m) where it overlays dry snow. This snow will settle rapidly on solar aspects and at lower elevations.

The mid-pack Feb 3 persistent layer (crust/facet layer) and basal depth hoar remain the most prominent features in the snowpack but have been dormant with recent cool temperatures. These layers are a greater concern in thin snowpack areas on north slopes above 2300m.

Weather Summary

Continued clearing and warming with freezing levels up to 3100 m by Sunday. A pulse of rain and snow is expected on Sunday/Monday.

Fri: Sunny with cloudy periods, alpine high 2 °C, light ridgetop winds, freezing level up to 2500 metres.

Sat: A mix of sun and cloud, alpine low -3 °C, high 3 °C, mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h, freezing level 2700 metres.

For more detailed weather click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.