Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff.
Up to 20 cm of snow fell between Banff and Canmore with the upslope storm on Sunday. This has resulted in an increase in the avalanche hazard on local ice climbs after having minimal snow overhead up to this point. Consider this increased hazard in your decision making.
The cold temperatures pose another hazard so dress warm and be prepared to stay out longer than expected.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
One size 2 skier triggered avalanche on the basal facets was observed near Lake Louise Monday afternoon. A couple size 2-2+ Na avalanches that failed during the recent storm were also observed on the 93N. They also appear to have failed on the basal facets.
Snowpack Summary
Over the past three days, up to 20 cm of storm snow has accumulated at treeline. The storm snow arrived with strong SW/W winds creating fresh wind slabs in the alpine and open treeline locations.
The snowpack below this recent snow is a mix of weak facets, spotty surface hoar, or sun crust on steep south aspects. 40-80 cm of total snow exists at treeline throughout the region, with up to 120 cm in loaded alpine features.
Weather Summary
Temperatures stay cold with alpine highs of -20°C as an arctic ridge settles into the region. Alpine winds remain light from the W/SW on Tuesday. Skies will become cloudy with trace amounts of new snow expected as an upper trough moves through the area.
https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Recent snow and wind loading has created slabs over a persistent weak layer of facets, buried sun crusts, or isolated pockets of surface hoar. This slab has been sensitive to natural and human triggering and can result in full depth avalanches. This problem will likely get more difficult to trigger in the next week, but will remain with us for some time.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Up to 20 cm of storm snow distributed by strong SW/W winds has created new wind slabs. The wind slabs are getting harder to trigger, but approach wind loaded terrain carefully. If triggered these slabs could step down to the basal facet layers and result in a larger than expected avalanche.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5