Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Apr 16 – 17, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Incoming snow and wind will create fresh wind slabs and add load to the deep persistent problem. Step back and monitor how the snowpack adjusts to the change on Monday.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Some new snow (~10CM) and increasing wind with variable direction will likely produce wind slabs in the alpine by Monday morning.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    The basal facets, as well as mid-pack facets and crusts, remain a significant concern. Many large avalanches in the recent cycle tell forecasters that this problem will be here until the end of the season.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were observed or reported today. Natural avalanche activity has slowed but we are still able to trigger large avalanches with explosives.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow has settled to 20-30 cm above 2300 m. The storm snow sits over buried sun crusts that are present to ridge crests, and faceted layers on shady aspects. Multiple buried crusts are present in the top 50-70 cm on solar aspects. The basal depth hoar is present at the bottom of the snowpack and remains facetted and weak. Low elevations have a temperature crust on all aspects.

Weather Summary

Snow will start Sunday evening and up to 10cm could arrive by Monday. Temperatures will decrease Monday with the valley remaining around zero degrees and -10 in the alpine. Wind will pick up into the strong range in the early hours of Monday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Regions covered