Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks
During the heat of the day, loose wet avalanches are almost certain in steep and confined terrain on solar aspects. Ice climbers should avoid avalanche terrain until things cool down.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Avalanche Problem 2: Loose Wet
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Expect loose wet avalanches to initiate from steep rocky terrain. Watch for increasing hazard associated with prolonged sun affect. Finish very early, or better yet, avoid steep confined features all together.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Avalanche Summary
Although outside the forecast region, a group of ice climbers were hit by a loose wet avalanche that caused moderate injuries on the ice climb 'Kitty Hawk'. Evidence of a loose wet avalanche cycle was isolated to steep solar gullies. Also observed were a few size 2 slabs on steep solar convex rolls.
Snowpack Summary
Last weeks storm of 10-25 cm sits on a supportive midpack. The surface snow has had some wind transport in the alpine forming thin wind slabs .A sun crust has formed on solar aspects at treeline and below. The deeper facet layers down 80-150 cm remain weak and are currently dormant, but could become active with the warm days ahead.
Weather Forecast
Expect the daily diurnal temperature variation to continue, each day a little bit warmer than the last. Sunday temps could climb to 4 degrees. Clear skies will also provide a condition for intense solar radiation. Wind will remain light from the SW.
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Alpine West winds have formed wind slabs in lee areas near ridge crests over the past week. In steep unsupported terrain skier triggering is possible.