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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 5th, 2021–Apr 6th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

There was a fatal avalanche on Haddo Peak today near Lake Louise. See the MIN report for preliminary details. Tomorrow will be warmer than today, start very early, and finish early.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday appears to be a similar day to Monday with the exception that the temperatures may be slightly warmer. The wind is supposed to increase to strong in the afternoon from the SW. Approximately 5 cm is expected overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of new snow at treeline over previous crusts and wind effect. New wind slabs forming in alpine lee areas from moderate to strong SW-W winds. Moist snow on all aspects up to 1800 m and higher on solar aspects on Sunday. The March 19 crust interface is down 30-60 cm. Basal facets exist in shallow areas east of the divide.

Avalanche Summary

Visitor safety specialists responded to a fatal avalanche accident on Haddo Peak near Lake Louise this morning. It occurred at  2950m on an East aspect. One skier was able to cling to the bed surface while the other was swept down the mountain. Dimensions were 40m x 650m. Information is preliminary. Check the MIN for further info.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.