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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 1st, 2021–Apr 2nd, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Strong winds and continued imputes of new snow through the long weekend will keep the avalanche hazard elevated at upper elevations.

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy Friday with small amount of snow accumulation (2-5cm) over the forecast region. Ridge top winds will remain in the moderate to strong range from the South West. Valley bottom temperatures will reach 8 degrees with freezing levels climbing to 2000m. More snow forecasted for Sunday with up to 15cm of accumulation.

Snowpack Summary

15-35cm of recent storm snow early this week, with the most around Sunshine and Bow Summit. Strong winds have formed wind slab at tree line and above. The March 19 interface is down 20-50cm and consists of crust on solar aspects and facets on north aspects. Basal facets exist in shallow areas east of the divide.

Avalanche Summary

Size 2.5 natural wind slab observed on Mt Rundel, suspect this released within the past 24 hours. No other report or observations Thursday.

Confidence

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.