Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Expect windslab formation to continue. Be careful on lees of ridgecrests.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Strong winds clouds, cool temperatures and light precipitation are forecast. In the short term, expect an increase in windslab formation.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 30cm has fallen since April 9. the new snow is being pushed into small windslabs on lee N and E aspects. Facets 50 to 70cm deep produce clean, hard shears but have not produced an avalanche for a long time. Shallow bottomless facets can be found on high north aspects.

Avalanche Summary

A small skier triggered windslab was noted on the lee side of a ridgecrest today.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

The first indications that recent snow has started to form a new slab are being reported. With winds expected to increase to moderate late Friday and then strong mid day Saturday, expect rapid development of new slabs.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

These slabs remain a concern on north aspects in the alpine where March winds built slabs over the facetted snow from February's cold snap. It is wise to check in on this layer now found 40- 70cm deep before venturing into committing terrain.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2019 4:00PM