Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2018 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The cooler temps are maintaining the fantastic ski quality. Use caution on solar aspects where the recent snow is reactive to skier triggering on buried crusts.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Significant snow expected on Saturday. A generous up-tick in the temperatures expected mid week next week. Both will have an effect on the hazard ratings.

Snowpack Summary

Last weeks storm brought 15-40cm with moderate S and W winds creating wind slabs in the alpine. The March 15 suncrust is down 25-50cm on south-east through west aspects and has been sensitive to skier triggering over the last few days.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity observed today.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Dig down to test the bond between the recent storm snow and the Mar 15 crust. Forecasters suspect faceting on the Mar 15 crust due to recent cold temps. Seems most sensitive with daytime heating allowing the surface snow to propagate as a soft slab.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Expect to encounter smaller windslabs on all aspects in the alpine due to previous shifty winds. They range from 20-40cm thick and have been decreasing in sensitivity over the last 2 days.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2018 4:00PM