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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 24th, 2016–Apr 25th, 2016

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

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

We have finished producing daily forecasts for the year. Enjoy the SPRING CONDITIONS. Stay up to date with mountain conditions with Parks Mountain Safety and the ACMG's Mountain Condition Report.

Weather Forecast

The snowpack's strength is tied mainly to heating at this time of the year. Pay attention to freezing levels as well as heat inputs from rain and the sun to help determine the strength of surface crusts and the condition of the underlying snow. 

Snowpack Summary

Recent rain to low Alpine elevations has made approaches difficult as the snowpack below treeline has remained isothermal and is melting away quickly.  In the high Alpine, new snow will be accumulating above recent hard surfaces.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet and wet slab avalanche activity has been reported as a result of last week's warm temperatures and the recent precipitation over the weekend.

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.

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.