Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Continued snow fall over the past few days have made for great ski quality on North aspects.
Click the "More Spring Conditions details" link found below for supporting information on various spring condition scenarios.
Weather Forecast
More snow on the way Sunday with accumulation amounts of 5 to 10cm for the forecast region, higher values are expected to the East. Winds will remain in the light to moderate range Sunday. By Monday the winds will increase at upper elevations. Temperatures are expected to remain cooler Sunday with freezing levels reaching 2000m.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 25 cm of low density snow has buried crusts on all aspects to 2200 m and to ridge top on solar slopes. There are several persistent layers in the mid to lower snowpack that are likely only a concern on alpine north facing terrain where no crusts are found in the snowpack while temperatures remain cool.
Avalanche Summary
Small loose dry avalanches were observed out of extreme terrain in the Lake Louise region today. During last weeks warmup, persistent layers in the mid and lower snowpack were re-activated in a few instances with cornices and explosives, producing large avalanches, but activity has tapered since.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Loose Dry
10-25 cm of new snow will be sitting over surface crusts on all but high north aspects. Expect this snow to sluff naturally in extreme terrain and with skier traffic in steep terrain. Additional snowfall will contribute to this problem on Saturday.
- Use caution above cliffs where small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Be very cautious with gully features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Loose Wet
With an above 2000m freezing level and chance of sunny periods on Sunday, expect solar slopes to start to deteriorate by midday at lower elevations.
- Use caution on solar slopes if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5