Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

No new avalanches reported on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, several avalanches up to size 2 were observed in the Bow Summit area. These were on both solar and shaded aspects and likely both cornice and temperature triggered. In other areas, several wind triggered avalanche up to size 1.5 were observed in extreme alpine terrain.

A dusting of snow overlies alpine and treeline areas that were previously scoured by strong SW winds. 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.

Light snow on Tuesday night. Trace amounts are expected along the divide and to the west but up to 5 cm may fall around the Banff townsite and possibly more to the east

Winds will remain light with freezing levels at valley bottom.

Skies clear on Thursday as a ridge sets up with dry, clear and calm conditions for the weekend.

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• Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
• Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.