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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2023–Apr 6th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Kootenay, Lake Louise, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Snow conditions on the north and east aspects are good, but surface crusts persist elsewhere. The avalanche danger remains Moderate due to the persistent nature of the basal facet problem which should factor into terrain decisions. The sun may peak out for a bit longer Thursdayso watch locally for solar effect.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches reported in this region today. A couple of big avalanches occurred in the region to the East in the last 24 hours. Thse were on Mosquito Peak and Hidden Bowl in the Lake Louise backcountry. These size 2.5-3 avalanches released on the basal weak layers.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15cm of storm snow from the past 3 days buries sun crusts to ridgetop and temperature crusts below 1500m. The January sun crust and facet interface is down 40 to 120cm. The November depth hoar at the base of the snowpack remains weak.

Weather Summary

Thursday: Freezing levels 1800-2000m with a mix of sun and cloud. Winds will be light to moderate from the SW.

Friday: SW winds increase to 40-50km/h in the alpine with some snow developing in the evening. 2-5cm are possible.

For a detailed weather forecast click here.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.