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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 14th, 2024–Apr 15th, 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, human triggered possible.
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.

After two days of very warm weather, we'll transition back to a winter-like weather pattern as temps cool and snow arrives late in the day.

A solid refreeze is not certain Sunday night. Carefully assess slopes that haven't seen a solid recovery from the warmth.

Windslabs have surprised folks of late, so monitor slopes for wind effect.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There have been numerous reports of avalanches stepping down to the Feb. 3/basal facet layer over the past several days. (See photos) Largely triggered by strong solar radiation.

There have also been widespread reports of smaller, but more numerous windslabs (East/north aspects of the alpine) and wet loose (solar slopes in the alpine).

Snowpack Summary

Steep northerly aspects above 2000 m still hold dry snow. Wind slabs/wind effect will be found in all aspects of the alpine and north aspects of treeline, while all solar aspects at treeline and below will have a significant crust.

The midpack is well settled down to the February 3 persistent weak layer which remains a concern in shallow snowpack areas on northerly alpine aspects. In these areas, no crusts are found in the upper snowpack and the midpack remains thin and weak.

Weather Summary

Sunday eve.: No precip forecast, alpine low 0 °C, wind out of the west, 15-35 km/h.

Freezing level @ 2000 meters.

Mon: A mix of sun and cloud, with no precipitation forecast, alpine high -1 °C. Ridgetop winds are expected to be out of the west, 20-30 km/h.

Freezing level @ 2200 meters.

Tues: Up to 9 cm of snow, more to the east. Alpine High -8 °C, ridge winds north: 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h.

For more information click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.