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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 26th, 2024–Apr 27th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

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

Steady light snowfall in the alpine will start to add up through the weekend but watch for a transition to rain below about 2100m Saturday.

Freezing levels are not likely to fall below 1800m this weekend... crust recovery may be poor.

Cooling and snow forecast into the start of the week looks promising for yet another round of winter...

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported on Friday although visibility was poor.

Snowpack Summary

5-10cm of snow since Thursday covers surface crusts on all aspects except for north-facing slopes above ~2300. Moist and weak snow at low elevations following a light refreeze Thursday night.

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

Friday: Flurries continue with trace amounts overnight. Freezing level around 1800m as winds shift SW and increase to moderate.

Saturday: Continued flurries / showers in the PM with freezing levels rising to around 2400m. SW winds continue. Freezing levels remain around 1800m overnight.

Sunday: A trough brings snow / rain with freezing levels near 2200m.

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.