Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 7th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada BW, Avalanche Canada

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

Warm temperatures, lots of sunshine and high freezing levels will result in an widespread avalanche cycle beginning on Wednesday. Little recovery of the temperatures are expected overnight. This is a good time to avoid all avalanche terrain.

Summary

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility and limited observations today. Suspect some loose wet activity associated with warm temperatures and rain at lower elevations (below 2200m).

Snowpack Summary

10-25 cm of new snow and some fresh wind-slab development exist in the alpine. Warm temperatures and lots of solar radiation forecasted for Wednesday through Saturday will weaken the upper snowpack resulting in widespread loose moist avalanches.

The mid-pack persistent layer and basal depth hoar layer are expected to become active with the warm temperatures, resulting in deeper and full depth slab avalanches.

Weather Summary

A ridge of high pressure develops over the forecast area on Wednesday. This will bring warm temperatures, clear skies and rising freezing levels.

Freezing Levels are forecasted to rise to 2700m on Wednesday and above 3000m on Thursday. Little recovery of the freezing levels are expected overnight.

For more detailed weather click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The likelihood of deep persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.
  • The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Warm temperatures and lots of solar radiation will result in widespread loose wet avalanches on all aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The deep persistent layers that were dormant with the recent cool temperatures are expected to "wake up" with the forecasted warm temperatures and high freezing levels on Wednesday through Saturday. Avalanches have potential to run to valley bottoms.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: May 8th, 2024 4:00PM

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