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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 28th, 2024–Apr 29th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Enough storm snow has accumulated to create new windslabs, carefully monitor start zones before committing to them.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The local ski hill reported a few windslab and loose dry avalanches up to size 1 out of North facing alpine terrain on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

15-20 cm of storm snow remains dry on sheltered N slopes above ~2400 m and is moist or refrozen on all other aspects. This new snow sits over crusts on all aspects except high N slopes where it overlies dry snow.

The mid-pack Feb 3 persistent layer (crust/facet layer) and basal depth hoar remain the most prominent features in the snowpack but have been dormant since the last temperature spike. These layers are a greater concern in thin snowpack areas on north slopes above 2300m.

Weather Summary

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, freezing levels between 1800 and 2000 m, light SW ridgetop winds.

Tuesday: Cloudy with convective snow showers, 4-8mm possible, freezing levels 1700-2000 meters, light to mod N ridgetop winds.

Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with no precip, freezing level rising to 2300m, light N ridgetop winds.

For more detailed weather click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.