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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Regions
Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Fresh snow has reset the ski conditions and overall we have a stable snowpack. When you plan your trip, remember that the basal weak layers are still present in thinner areas, and that we are not in full spring mode as of yet. SH
Weather Forecast
Freezing levels to 2000m on Friday with another 10cm in the alpine and possibly rain at lower elevations. Expect generally cloudy conditions and light winds gusting strong from the W. Sat and Sunday will see more solar input and freezing levels between 2400-2600m.
Snowpack Summary
15-20cm over last 24 hrs. bonding well to surfaces below. A supportive melt-freeze crust on all aspects to 2100m and higher on S and W aspects. The snowpack is well settled. The deep persistent weak layers are dormant, but may awaken if it warms up or you trigger the weak spot, as demonstrated 2 days ago on Mt. Whymper, (see avalanche table).
Avalanche Summary
Forecasters were very surprised 2 days ago after hearing a report of a size 3.5 skier remote avalanche on Mt. Whymper. The group heard a whumph and 30 seconds later the slide released taking out the whole slope the party had just climbed up from 70m away. Picture. Only loose sloughing in extreme terrain was noted today on a tour to Surprise Pass.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Thursday
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.
Loose Dry
Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.
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.