Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Avalanche activity has slowed down, but a few skier remote and skier triggered avalanches on Sunday indicate that the new snow is not completely well bonded to the underlying layers. Enter steeper terrain with caution.
Weather Forecast
Freezing levels will remain around treeline on Monday night and into into Tuesday. Tuesday will be a mostly cloudy day with up to 5 cm's of snow expected by the evening. Winds will slowly decrease to the moderate or light range by the end of the day. A few more flurries are expected Wednesday with lowering freezing levels.
Snowpack Summary
Extensive wind effect in the alpine with strong SW winds on Monday. 20-50 cm of snow from last Thursday and Friday is beginning to bond to the underlying surfaces of crusts, facets, surface hoar and storm snow, but weaknesses and whumpfing are still present. Crusts or moist snow at lower elevations and on solar aspects depending on the time of day.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed on Monday. Continued evidence of the widespread natural and skier triggered avalanche cycle up to size 3 on most aspects above 2000 m from Saturday. A couple new natural and skier triggered avalanches were reported Sunday and there have been many recent cornice failures.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Significant snowfall over the last week with strong to extreme winds created storm slabs in the alpine. These are beginning to bond but remain somewhat suspect. Approach large slopes cautiously and minimize exposure to cornices.
- Use conservative route selection, stick to supported terrain features, avoid overhead hazards.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Loose Wet
Lower elevations and solar aspects will have a solid crust in the morning, but sunny breaks or warm temperatures will break this down allowing for wet loose or wet slab avalanches later in the day. Travel and return early before things heat up.
- If triggered, loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2