Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 19th, 2012 5:31PM

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

Brian Webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Spring is here. The avalanche hazard will increase dramatically in the afternoon when the temperatures rise and the snow becomes moist. Sunday will be particularly warm with the freezing levels forecasted to rise to 2800 m.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

The main concern in the snowpack is with wet loose snow avalanches on solar aspects in the afternoon. Pay attention to how hard of a freeze there was from the previous night and how quickly the snow is warming up. Start and finish yourr tours early.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Some forecasts call for as much as 10-15 cm of new snow on Thursday night with mod to strong southwest winds. If this snow materializes watch for fresh windslabs in the alpine. In many areas these slabs will be sitting on a smooth crust.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 20th, 2012 4:00PM