Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Hazard is improving, but forecasters still have concern for larger isolated avalanches. It is still a good idea to avoid big features and unsupported terrain.
Weather Forecast
Mixed sun and cloud with isolated flurries along the divide for Friday. Winds forecast to be moderate from the SW and freezing levels will remain around 1400 m. Some weather models predicting 10-20 cm of new snow by end of weekend.
Snowpack Summary
5-10 cm of dry snow over the past 48-hours sits over top of a well settled mid-pack. The lower snowpack consists of weaker facets (particularly in shallower snowpack areas) that are producing moderate shears with snowpack tests. Isolated wind slabs exist near ridge tops and lee terrain in the alpine.
Avalanche Summary
No natural activity observed. The ski-hills reported small wind-slabs in the alpine that were reactive to ski-cutting. Lake Louise ski hill reported an-out-of-bounds skier triggering a size one wind slab in the Lipallian area.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Small wind-slabs can be expected near ridge-tops and lee terrain in the alpine.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
Several larger avalanches failing on this layer have been observed in the past week. Bigger features and convex slopes should still be avoided until this layer stabilizes.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5