Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Weather Forecast
A good valley bottom freeze into Sat. but expect freezing levels to quickly reach 2000m with strong solar input as skies will be clear. There will be a temperature inversion to start Sat. (warmer air aloft in the high alpine). Sunday may be even warmer with cloud moving in in the afternoon. Light Westerly winds throughout the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack is complex right now. 40-100 cm of new snow sits on crusts on W through E aspects right up to alpine elevations. This has been reactive with explosives in many areas recently. Thinner snowpack areas have prominent facets at or near the base, and large cornices are sitting above many lee slopes.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control on Mts. Stephen ad Dennis Friday produced avalanches to size 3. On the same flight numerous large natural avalanches to size 3 were observed. These were 24-48 hours old on NE through N aspects in the alpine, some stepping right to ground or near ground.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3