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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

May 3rd, 2019–May 4th, 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

Mixed sun and cloud with isolated convective flurries or rain at lower elevations is forecasted through the weekend with light to moderate SW wind. 

Snowpack Summary

5 to 30 cm of new snow and recent winds have created soft slabs in immediate lees in the alpine. Moist snow observed on solar aspects, but alpine north aspects are staying dry. Concern still exists for a facet layer down 30-50 cm which is producing clean shears with snow-pit tests and has been reactive to skier triggering.

Avalanche Summary

Small wet loose avalanches have been observed on solar aspects. Tuesday our field team observed several natural and skier triggered avalanches in the Observation Peak area. These avalanches were triggered on the persistent problem down 40 cm.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Though not widespread, where this layer does exist ,expect it to be most reactive in areas where a slab sits over previously formed crusts.  On Tuesday we observed several large skier triggered and natural 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 slabs will be small, localized areas of heaver accumulations may have formed larger slabs.

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

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

If the sun comes out for any length of time expect loose wet avalanches out of steep sun exposed terrain.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5