Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 6th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Cornices.
Grant Statham,
The weather is changing overnight and it will be snowing, colder and windy by Wed. This pattern continues through the weekend. Expect dry snow windslab avalanches to form in the alpine, particulary north of the Lake Louise on the Continental Divide.
Summary
Weather Forecast
The weather is changing and the next storm cycle arrives overnight and on Wednesday morning. Snow should begin early and models anticipate between 5-18 cm of snow, with highest amounts on the Continental Divide. Not much snow expected for the eastern and southern regions, but strong winds. Temps will cool right through until the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
The snow surface is mix of crusts to 1800 m, and dry powder snow on north facing slopes above 1800 m. New snow, strong winds and cooling temps start Wed and with this we expect fresh, sensitive windslabs in the alpine. Treeline and below treeline elevations should become frozen and stay mostly frozen. Quite a variable spring snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
Visitor safety specialists responded to a fatal avalanche accident on Haddo Peak near Lake Louise on Monday morning. It occurred at 2950m on an East aspect. One skier was able to cling to the bed surface while the other was swept down the mountain. Dimensions were 40m x 650m. Check the MIN for further info.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong alpine winds and new snow on Wednesday will make for fresh, sensitive windslabs at the higher elevations. These may not bond well to the underlying crusts. This conditions is expected mostly in the high alpine, north of Lake Louise.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are big and the springtime is when they fall off more frequently. We have had fairly regular observations of cornice failures over the past few weeks, so minimize your exposure to them especially as the day heats up or the winds increase.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 7th, 2021 4:00PM
