Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jul 12th, 2017–Jul 13th, 2017

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Below Threshold.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Little Yoho.

Summer conditions are here, but keep the deep persistent weak layer in the back of your mind if you are considering venturing into steep alpine snowy terrain!

Weather Forecast

Some helpful weather links:

Remote weather stations in Banff, Yoho & Kootenay - Real time, raw, actual weather data.

Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast - Good for getting an overview of the major weather systems.

SpotWx - Good for a localized forecast

Environment Canada Yoho forecast - Simplified valley bottom forecast for Lake Louise area.

Snowpack Summary

The deep persistent weakness still exists and has been sporadically active on hot days in high alpine terrain. This will be the big thing to consider when deciding whether to get on the bigger snow and ice routes.

Avalanche Summary

In general, avalanche hazard will be greatest during hot sunny days or warm rain. This has the potential to trigger smaller loose wet avalanches and larger wet slab avalanches on the basal weak layer. For current avalanche activity and observations, check out the Mountain Conditions Report

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.