Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

May 2 – 3, 2019Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Localized snow amount may very at higher elevations. Deeper areas could develop larger then expected wind slabs.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Continued precipitation and moderate winds have formed small pockets of wind slab in immediate lee features at higher elevations. Though in many areas these slab will be small, localized areas of heaver accumulation may have formed large slabs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    This instability continues to rear its ugly head in areas where a slab sits over previously formed crusts. Though not widespread, where this layer dose exist expect it to be reactive. Tuesday we observed two large avalanches fail on this layer.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    If the sun comes out for any length of time expect loose wet avalanches out of steep sun exposed terrain.

Weather Forecast

Mixed sun and cloud with isolated convective flurries forecasted through the end of the week. Forecasted strong winds on Thursday night will diminish by mid-day on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

15 to 25cm of new snow and recent winds have created soft slabs in immediate lees in the alpine. Moist snow observed up to 2400m on solar aspect, but alpine north aspects staying dry. Concern still exist for a facet layer down 30-50 cm which is producing clean shears with snow-pit tests.

Avalanche Summary

Small wet loose avalanches were observed on solar aspects on Thursday. Tuesday our field team observed two slab avalanches in the Observation Peak area. These avalanches where triggered on the persistent problem down 40 cm.

Confidence

Regions covered