Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

May 6 – 7, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

We expect the start of a significant avalanche cycle on Wednesday/Thursday with rising freezing levels and lots of warm sunny weather.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Loose wet activity will increase with any solar input.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    This problem is expected to become more active as temperatures and solar inputs increase on Wednesday.

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility and limited observations today. Suspect some loose wet activity associated with warm temperatures and rain at lower elevations (below 2200m).

Snowpack Summary

Fresh snow at upper elevations (above 2500m) sits on a variety of surfaces including temperature crusts (solar aspects) and dry snow (north aspects). Below 2500m surface crusts becoming moist and breaking down with rain and above freezing temperatures.

The mid-pack Feb 3 persistent layer is lingering and is expected to become active as day time temperatures rise on Wednesday.

Weather Summary

Tuesday: Unsettled weather with rain or snow showers (depending on elevation). Freezing levels will be in the 2300m range

Wednesday: An upper ridge starts to build resulting in clearing skies, lots of sunshine and rising freezing levels (25-2700m)

Thursday: Warm and sunny. Freezing levels rising to 3000m.

For more detailed weather click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
  • Cornice failures could trigger very large and destructive avalanches.

Regions covered