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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 6th, 2017–Apr 7th, 2017
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Another warm day Friday before we see a cooling trend through the weekend. Travel at treeline and below will not be great over the next few days.

Weather Forecast

A series of warm low pressure systems continue to move across BC and AB. Showers and flurries forecasted for Thursday evening followed by freezing levels dipping down to 1600 m. Friday it will be cloudy and warm with more precipitation in the evening.  Expect rain in the valley bottom and snow above 2000m may accumulate 10cm before it stops.

Snowpack Summary

A settled, mostly dry snowpack exists on shaded aspects above 2300m. On other aspects and below 2300m, expect morning crust and wet snow by mid-day. The base of the snowpack continues to be unstable with a layer of facets failing approximately 60cm above the ground. For this reason, most avalanche prone slopes are out unless they have already slid.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.  On the Wapta, reports of several recent cornice failures triggering deep slabs on the slopes below.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The snowpack is generally unstable, despite the strong feel of the surface layers. This warm-up is again testing the snowpack and we expect increased avalanche activity. Patience is a virtue with this kind of problem.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4

Cornices

April is cornice season, and we are getting regular reports of cornices failing and triggering deep slabs. Mature cornices can propagate much further than you expect, so give them a wide margin when traveling on ridges. Travel early.
Avoid steep slopes below cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Wet

Wet snow flows like water in gullies during warm spring days, and the next few days we expect wet snow avalanches to be common in gully areas at and below treeline. Ice climbers - avoid steep low elevation gullies.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3