Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 26th, 2015 6:32PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Wet and Cornices.

conrad janzen, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Good travel conditions continue with a mix of corn skiing on solar aspects and powder on high North aspects. Watch for the effects of daytime heating on the snowpack and enjoy the spring skiing!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Continued dry weather with light winds forecast for Monday with freezing levels near valley bottom overnight. On Tuesday freezing levels spike to near 3000m before a cold front moves through the region in the afternoon accompanied but strong winds and brief but intense snowfall. Wednesday sees a cooling and drying trend again.

Snowpack Summary

5-15cm of recent snow in the high alpine on North aspects from a brief storm Friday. Some small, isolated wind slabs up to 30cm were reported on the Wapta on Friday. Firm crusts up to 10cm thick remain intact at most elevations below the recent snow. The basal facets remain dormant though a very large cornice load or intense heat may change this.

Avalanche Summary

A few solar triggered slides off of steep solar aspects today. No other avalanches seen or reported.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

We will start to see in increase in solar triggered avalanche activity on Monday and Tuesday as the temperatures rise during the day.

Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

There have been several cornice failures over the past week, and in isolated events these have been a large enough load to trigger deeper basal layers.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 27th, 2015 4:00PM