Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2019–Apr 9th, 2019

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.

Snow forecasted for the week should improve ski conditions at higher elevations. Be diligent in your hazard management as you transition into the alpine.

Weather Forecast

Precipitation will begin mid-day Tuesdays followed by a series of weak frontal systems over the remainder of the week. By Saturday we could see over 30cm of snow at higher elevations in the forecast region. Freezing levels will fluctuate between 1000m to 2000m, this will likely results in rain at valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

15cm of snow from the weekend has accumulated above treeline. Crust are present on most aspects and elevations excluding high North. On high North, 30cm of unconsolidated snow can be found. Below this, a stiff slab overlying weak facets remains a concern in some places. If any notable rain occurs, expect a loose wet problem to develop.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today.

Confidence

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.