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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 6th, 2021–Apr 7th, 2021

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The weather is changing overnight and it will be snowing, colder and windy by Wed. This pattern continues through the weekend. Expect dry snow windslab avalanches to form in the alpine, particulary north of the Lake Louise on the Continental Divide.

Weather Forecast

The weather is changing and the next storm cycle arrives overnight and on Wednesday morning. Snow should begin early and models anticipate between 5-18 cm of snow, with highest amounts on the Continental Divide. Not much snow expected for the eastern and southern regions, but strong winds. Temps will cool right through until the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is mix of crusts to 1800 m, and dry powder snow on north facing slopes above 1800 m. New snow, strong winds and cooling temps start Wed and with this we expect fresh, sensitive windslabs in the alpine. Treeline and below treeline elevations should become frozen and stay mostly frozen. Quite a variable spring snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Visitor safety specialists responded to a fatal avalanche accident on Haddo Peak near Lake Louise on Monday morning. It occurred at 2950m on an East aspect. One skier was able to cling to the bed surface while the other was swept down the mountain. Dimensions were 40m x 650m. Check the MIN for further info.

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.