Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 6th, 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 Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

We were seeing some small avalanche activity associated with the new snow and wind on Saturday. It might show up in high couloirs for a day or two still. Watch for outbreaks of sun. It's getting rugged accessing the alpine.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A mix of everything, but a lot of nothing. Beware sudden outbursts of sun, or lee ridgecrests where some windslabs may still be present(N and E).

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15cm recent snow at upper elevations. Melt-freeze crusts are common. On North and East aspects in the alpine, up to 30cm of unconsolidated snow can be found. Below this, a stiff slab overlying weak facets remains a concern in some places and a weak, faceted snowpack, remains a concern in thin areas.

Avalanche Summary

Small slabs and loose dry avalanches were noted up the Icefields Parkway pouring off steep rocky areas to size 1.5. Similarly sized wet avalanches were noted In Yoho.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A hard slab sitting over weak facets up to 60cm down remains a concern where found: mainly on N aspects in the alpine. We have seen a few human triggered avalanches in steep, isolated features such as moraines and glacier rolls over the past week.

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

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

This problem is directly related to daytime heating and solar inputs. Even on a cloudy day localized solar effect can quickly change the snow stability. With new snow expected to fall over existing crusts, monitor conditions closely for change.

Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 7th, 2019 4:00PM