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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 27th, 2024–Apr 28th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

For the most part travel continues to be good. Start early, finish early.

There is potential for a weak freeze overnight Saturday as well as a temperature inversion.

Watch for areas where loose wet snow can slide on a crust especially in steep areas, and/or areas where the crust(s) have completely broken down and the snow is isothermal

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet avalanches up to size 1.5 from the past 48 were reported on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm of settling snow since Thursday covers crusts on all aspects except for north-facing slopes above ~2500m. Moist and weak snow at low and treeline elevations following a weak refreeze Friday night.

The mid-pack Feb 3 persistent layer (crust/facet layer) and basal depth hoar remain the most prominent features in the snowpack but have been dormant since the last temperature spike. These layers are a greater concern in thin snowpack areas on north slopes above 2300m.

Weather Summary

Saturday night: Cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 5 cm. Alpine temps: Low -4 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Weak temperature inversion.

Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precip: Trace. Alpine temp: High -1 °C. Ridge wind west: 15 km/h gusting to 50 km/h. Freezing level: 2200 metres.

Monday: Cooler temperatures.

For more detailed weather click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

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.