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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 5th, 2025–Apr 6th, 2025
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Sunshine, West Side 93N.

Solar radiation will peak Sunday. Start early, and finish early while the hazard is lower.

Areas East of HWY93N and around the Lake Louise ski hill back country have a much thinner snowpack, making it more susceptible to human triggering

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new activity was observed or reported in this subregion on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Surface crusts on solar aspects up to ~2800 m. Up to 30 cm of dry snow on north slopes at higher elevations. On south aspects, this 30cm contains several crusts

Below this, a prominent rain crust (Mar 27) is found everywhere up to at least 2300m. The strength and extent of this crust varies area to area

Below this, a 30-70 cm slab of dense snow overlies another 40-70 cm of weak facets. This is the main problem in the snowpack and is of particular concern when the crusts above it are weak

Weather Summary

Daytime solar radiation is the most important input to the snowpack right now.

Tonight: Clear. Alpine temp: Low -2 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 30 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom. Weak temperature inversion.

Sunday: Sunny. Alpine temps: High 5 °C. Ridge wind light to 25 km/h. Freezing level: Up to 3100 metres on solar aspects.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Start your day early and be out of avalanche terrain during the heat of the day.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
  • The likelihood of deep persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.
  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
  • Avalanche danger will increase as the surface crust breaks down.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Below the recent snow, a 30-80 cm slab sits on the weak lower snowpack. On all but high north aspects, recent sun crusts and the March 27 rain crust cap this slab, providing some security. Use extreme caution in higher, thinner areas or when these superficial crusts are weak or are breaking down.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Loose Wet

Crusts almost everywhere on solar aspects, solar inputs will still affect rocky areas. As heating develops, higher and shaded slopes will become affected. Sluffing off of steep rocky faces should be expected and cornice failures are more likely. Isolated wind slab may found in wind prone areas.

Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West, West, North West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2