Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
Increasing avalanche hazard will occur as snow, warmer temps, and stronger winds promote wind transport and windslab development. This new snow is sitting on a very weak interface and sluffing is expected in steep terrain.
Ice climbers should be aware of what is happening above your chosen route.
Early Season Conditions persist.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed or reported for the last several days, but an increase in avalanche activity is expected.
Snowpack Summary
Increasing west wind and 5-10 cm of new snow is starting to form small wind slabs in steep lee terrain. These slabs sit over a variety of weak interfaces, including surface hoar, facets, and sun crust on steep solar slopes. The snow pack is still very thin and weak in most places with basal facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the pack. Snow depth ranges from 25-50 cm at treeline to 90 cm of total snow in the alpine.
Weather Summary
5-10 cm of snow are expected Sunday night with the largest amounts west of the divide. Monday will see cloudy skies and light flurries but only trace amounts of new snow. Ridgetop winds will remain strong from the west throughout the next few days. Treeline temperatures will range from lows of -12°C to highs of -5°C.
For more information click Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
With incoming snow and winds, sluffing and wind slab development is expected. While valley bottoms may seem calm, strong winds at ridge top could be redistributing snow up high. Ice climbers in gullies should definitely pay attention to the terrain overhead.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
The snowpack is thin in most areas and the base of the snowpack is very weak. If you are in steep terrain where the wind has created a dense slab on top of this weak base, be wary! We expect avalanche activity on the basal facets to increase over the next several days as the load increases.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2