Archived

Avalanche Forecast

May 1st, 2019–May 2nd, 2019

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Localized snow amount may very at higher elevations. Deeper areas could develop larger then expected wind slabs.

Weather Forecast

Daily convective buildup is forecasted for the remainder of the week. Mornings will likely have more stable weather and as the day progresses expect to see small storm cells roll through bringing wind and precipe. We should see a warming trend into the weekend with valley temps reaching plus ten by Friday.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15cm of new snow redistributed at ridge top by moderate winds have likely loaded immediate lees. Previous windslab is still visible through much of the alpine. Cooler temps have faceted in the upper snowpack creating a persistent problem where the new snow overlays previous crusts. Be cautious in areas where newly form slab overlays a crust.

Avalanche Summary

Loose dry activity was visible through much of the forecast region out of steep alpine features. These small avalanches appeared to be initiated by the wind, entraining newly accumulated storm snow. Tuesday our field team observed two large avalanches in the Observation Peak area, these avalanches where triggered on the persistent problem.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Dry

Expect to find many small avalanches initiated by the wind in steep terrain. These avalanches will likely release out of steep cliffs and entrain loose surface snow below. Continued snow fall will increase the likelihood of this problem.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

This instability continues to rear its ugly head in areas where a slab sits over previously formed crusts. Though not widespread, where this layer dose exist expect it to be reactive. Tuesday we observed to large avalanches fail on this layer.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Continued precipitation and moderate winds have formed small pockets of wind slab in immediate lee features at higher elevations. Though in many areas these slab will be small, localized areas of heaver accumulation may have formed large slabs.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
Use caution in lee areas. Wind loading could create slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2