Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Apr 21 – 22, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Good spring conditions exist. Recent storm snow has created wind slabs in open areas above treeline. Solar effect will become more of a concern throughout the week. JBW

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Moderate winds have created areas of thin wind slabs in open areas above 2200 m. These slabs were more sensitive to triggering on southerly aspects where they overlie a smooth crust, but sare also a concern on northerly aspects.

Weather Forecast

Cool north westerly flow will prevail until Wednesday as a ridge becomes anchored off the coast. Unsettled conditions will bring convective flurries. The ridge builds inland for a significant warm up by Wednesday-Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Cooler conditions should keep the crust solid for much of the day. Recent snow has created wind slabs just below ridge crests up to 30-40 cm thick. These slabs have been more touchy on southerly aspects where they overly a crust, but could be triggered on northerly aspects as well. Solar effect will loosen up the recent new snow on steeper terrain.

Avalanche Summary

Several small skier triggered windslabs up to size 1.5  have been reported over the last few days. These have been triggered on steep terrain just below ridgecrests. Storm snow over crust is the main ingredient.

Confidence

Regions covered