Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Apr 26 – 27, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

A robust wind event with varying snow amounts will occur this weekend making for the possibility of natural avalanches at upper elevations.  Watch locally for wind slab development.  SH

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Previous winds  created areas of wind slab in open areas above 2200 m. Watch for touchy wind slab development  at treeline and above Saturday with incoming snow and wind.  These will be easiest to trigger where they overly harder surfaces and crusts.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Watch for heavy sloughing where powder overlies harder bed surfaces. In steep terrain, this could push you over a cliff or into a terrain trap.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Strong to extreme West winds Saturday (85-100+kmh) with incoming snow of 20-25 cm in the alpine along the divide.  Much less snow is expected in the Banff region.  Freezing levels to 1900m .  Continued windy conditions Sunday with some light snow.  Monday we will see a cooling trend.

Snowpack Summary

Very warm and windy conditions Friday with no overnight freeze up to 2500m. Variable wind slabs in alpine regions sit over a variety of harder surfaces and a generally well settled midpack.

Avalanche Summary

Limited observations Friday but no new avalanches reported.

Regions covered