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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 18th, 2024–Apr 19th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Friday is expected to remain cool, however, pay attention to solar aspects. If the sun comes out, it won't take much radiation for the new snow to start sloughing off on the crusts. It is always a good idea to start and end your tours early at this time of year.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

The current cool temperatures have temporarily slowed down the deeper avalanche activity.

In the alpine several thin, fresh windslabs and sluffs were triggered in the new snow (sitting on a temperature crust) over the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

5-15 cm of recent snow overlies previous temperature crusts on E, W and S aspects. On north aspects above 2200 m the storm snow overlays dry snow. Small wind slabs can be expected in specific areas in the alpine and will react easily to human triggers where on a smooth crust.

In the mid-pack, the Feb 3 persistent layer (crust/facet layer) remains a concern on northerly alpine aspects, however, cooler temperatures have slowed down natural activity on this layer.

Weather Summary

Friday- Light winds and generally clear skies across the range.  Freezing levels (FL) will pop into the alpine bringing daytime highs in the valley between 5 and 10 Celsius.

Saturday - Expect light winds & clear skies across the range.  FL will rise to around 2000 m and valley temperatures will reach positive single digits.

Sunday will be a stormy day with up to 20 cm of wet snow up high, rain in the valley, & strong SW wind.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.