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

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 30th, 2017–May 1st, 2017
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be below threshold
Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be below threshold
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Pay attention to freezing levels this week. The first really big warmup is forecasted for Wednesday when freezing levels are expected to rise to 3000m.

Weather Forecast

Mixed sun and cloud with some convective flurries are forecast for Monday. Freezing levels will be around 2000 m on Monday and rising significantly to 3000m by Wednesday as an upper ridge moves into the region from the west.

Snowpack Summary

15 cm of overnight snow and 40-60cm of storm snow from this past week. There is moist surface snow and variety of melt freeze crusts in the upper snow pack in all areas except for due north above 2300 m. A basal weakness remains at the bottom of the snow pack. It is currently only reactive to large triggers but may wake up with solar warming.

Avalanche Summary

Several fresh wind slab avalanches (up to size 2) were observed in the alpine on north aspects in the Field and Lake Louise area on Sunday. Loose wet avalanches and several slab avalanches (associated with day time heating) were also observed on Sunday.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches can be expected on solar aspects in the afternoon when the day warms up.
Pay attention to sluffing off cliffs and steep solar terrain, signs of a warming snowpack.If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Recent winds have created soft wind slabs on north aspects in the alpine.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The weak basal facets can produce large avalanches with large triggers or heat. Remember that the snowpack is generally strongest in the morning when it is cool.
Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 4