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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

May 5th, 2024–May 6th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Cool weather is forecasted for Monday and Tuesday with up to 15 cm of wet snow possible.

We expect the start of a significant avalanche cycle on Wednesday when freezing levels are forecasted to rise above mountain tops for multiple days with no overnight recovery.

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

Afternoon warming has produced numerous wet loose avalanches sizes 1-2 over the last several days.

On Saturday, there was a size 3 avalanche that failed on the deep persistent slab. The cornice that triggered the layer is a reminder that large loads have the potential to trigger these basal facets.

Snowpack Summary

Thin surface crusts exists to ridge top on solar aspects. Dry snow may still be found on due north aspects in the high alpine (above 2600 m).

The mid-pack Feb 3 persistent layer (facet layer) is still lingering on high northerly aspects, above 2500m. Basal facets and depth hoar remain a weak layer at the bottom of the snowpack at all elevations and aspects.

Weather Summary

Sun Night: Wet flurries, 5-10 cm expected, freezing level 2300 m.

Mon: Cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm accumulation, alpine high temp of 1°C, light west ridgetop winds, freezing level 2200 m.

Tues: Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 cm expected, alpine temp low -5 °C, high 1 °C, light NW ridgetop winds, freezing level 2200 m.

Wed: Freezing level above 3300 m.

For more detailed weather click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

Problems

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.

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.