Avalanche Forecast

Lake Louise patrol reported numerous size 1's triggered by explosives. Sunshine patrol reported knocking out a size 2.5 on a reloaded bed surface which reacted like a deep slab, down to rocks. A field team member near Simpson Pass reported hearing a large audible avalanche.

15-20 cm of heavy moist snow (up to 2400m) has been blown into windslabs up to 40 cm deep in leeward areas. This adds to the dense slab, 50-100 cm thick, overlying weak facets in the mid to lower snowpack and is responsible for the recent large avalanches. This condition has been most sensitive in the Bow Summit area, but expect the likelihood of avalanches to increase at all elevations with the warming.

Freezing levels are on the rise, with moderate precipitation expected to bring another 10 cm of snow by Wednesday morning. Rain is likely at lower elevations. Winds will be variable and somewhat unpredictable, potentially reaching strong speeds from the southwest. Taken together, these factors point toward an avalanche cycle.

• Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
• Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
• Remote triggering is a big concern, be aware of the potential for wide propagations and large, destructive avalanches at all elevations.