Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
Beautiful weather for the weekend an inversion setting up for Sunday-Monday with warmer temperatures aloft. Winds have hammered any exposed slopes. Watch for lingering alpine wind slabs, which are the most likely threat to backcountry users.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday, a few wind-triggered loose dry avalanches were observed in the cliffs above the Ogden benches.
No new slab avalanches were observed or recorded over the past 48 hours. However, a few skier-triggered wind slabs were reported Thursday on Emerald Peak.
Snowpack Summary
There has been widespread wind effect down into treeline in exposed areas.
Where the wind hasn't had an impact, the surface is a mix of facets and/ or sun crust, depending on your location. Below this, the mid-pack consists primarily of facets.
At the base of the snowpack lies a widespread, weak layer of depth hoar and a crust. It is dormant for now but should not be forgotten.
Snow depths at the treeline range from 60 to 100 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday: -15C in the morning, warming to -10.
Upper-level temperatures climb through Saturday night creating an inversion for Sunday with mountain-top temperatures reaching near 0C by the afternoon and into Monday.
Skies will be mostly sunny for the weekend with light to moderate northerly winds.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Over the past few days, strong winds have produced smaller avalanches that can be triggered in steep, skiable terrain. There is uncertainty about how reactive these will be in the coming days.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5