Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 4th, 2014 4:32PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Pay attention to how warm it is getting. If the sun comes out the hazard will increase rapidly on solar aspects.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mixed sun and cloud for Monday with freezing levels near 2000 m. Cooling trend, unsettled weather and light flurries forecasted for Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

40-50 cm of recent storm snow at treeline lies overtop of previous moist surfaces and in some areas a weak but supportive melt freeze crust. Storm snow is becoming moist at lower elevations and on solar aspects is sluffing out of steep terrain. There may be some fresh wind slabs lingering near lee ridge tops.

Avalanche Summary

Moist loose avalanches up to Class 2 sluffing out of steep and very steep terrain. No slabs observed.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

As day time temperatures rise the recent storm snow will start sluffing out of steep terrain.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs may persist in immediate lees of ridge tops.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: May 5th, 2014 4:00PM