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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 28th, 2019–Apr 29th, 2019

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Hard to believe we still have three main problems in the snowpack considering its the end of April. Heads up at higher elevations and keep your winter thinking cap on for a few more days this week.

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather for the week ahead. Expect on again, off again snow showers with temperatures staying cool and the wind remaining out of the north.  These kinds of weather patterns can result in some locally deep accumulations, so pay close attention where you travel.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40cm of snow fell by Sunday morning with more in eastern areas. Strong winds during the storm did some wind loading, but the storm ended calm and cold. While the new snow should settle rapidly, be suspicious of its bond to the old snow and any facets below. Supportive crusts exist below this new snow on solar aspects and at lower elevations.

Avalanche Summary

Some small storm slabs observed on Saturday. Skier controlled small storm slabs in alpine lee areas reported by the local ski areas during control work on Saturday. No new avalanche activity was observed or reported on Sunday.

Confidence

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.