Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
Freezing levels up to 2800 m are possible on the east slopes. Watch for increased hazard with daytime warming including rockfall and avalanche activity.
Early Season Conditions persist.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
The ski hill reported a size 2 explosive triggered avalanche on Sunday. In the last week there have been reports of remotely triggering avalanches from up to 100 m away and numerous human and explosive triggered avalanches up to size 2.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack depths range from 30-50 cm at treeline and 40-80 cm in the alpine with deeper pockets of wind deposited snow in lee areas. A melt-freeze crust has formed on the surface from recent solar input on south and west aspects. The bottom of the snowpack consists of a buried crust and facets.
Weather Summary
On Monday, freezing levels up to 2800 m are possible on the east slopes with alpine temps of 0°C and continued strong west winds. A trace to few centimeters of snow and cooler temps are forecasted for Tuesday night into Wednesday.
For more info, please see the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Persistent slabs have potential to pull back to lower angle terrain.
- Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Many places with enough snow to avalanche have a weak layer of facets and/or a melt freeze crust at the base of the snowpack. This weak layer has been easy to trigger even from far away, and may become more sensitive as the freezing level rises on Tuesday.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5