Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 18th, 2013 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light snow flurries along the divide forecast for Friday. On Saturday an upper trough moves south through the area bringing light snowfall throughout the day. Freezing levels will be around 1800 m.

Snowpack Summary

Spring conditions exist. Strong and supportive crusts exist on solar aspects up to at least 2300 m. North aspects are dry down to around 1900 m. There are areas of wind effect in the alpine and isolated wind slabs can be expected in lee areas above 2400 m. Overcast skies are helping to keep crusts intact through most of the day.

Avalanche Summary

In Kootenay Park a size 2 slab (~30 cm thick) on a north facing alpine cross-loaded feature was reported on Wednesday. In Yoho Park a skier controlled size 1 hard slab on a high elevation west aspect was reported on Tuesday.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate winds have created areas of thin wind slabs in lee areas above 2400 m.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 19th, 2013 4:00PM