Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 24th, 2021 4:00PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Dry and Loose Wet.

William Lawson,

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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.

Summary

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

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing 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

An icon showing 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

Valid until: Apr 25th, 2021 4:00PM

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