Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

May 2nd, 2019–May 3rd, 2019
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

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

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

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

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.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

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.

  • Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.
  • The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

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

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5