Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff.
Early-season conditions prevail in the Banff area. Saturday's storm will deliver greater snow amounts to the West and North.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Although most areas are below threshold for avalanches, there have been reports of small windslabs and loose dry avalanches from steep windloaded alpine terrain in the last week.
Snowpack Summary
Early season conditions exist with treeline snow depths in the 15-30cm range, and snow depths up to 40-60 cm in wind loaded lee areas.
Weather Summary
Saturday looks to be stormy with up to 35 cm along the divide and along Hwy 93 N. In the Banff area, it will mainly be windy with up to 5 cm forecasted. The winds will be strong to extreme SW winds throughout the storm.
See the Mountain Weather Forecast for more details.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind may increase the likelihood of encountering and triggering windslabs. We have limited observations, some small wind slabs have been reported by ice climbers over the past week.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5