Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 30th, 2013 4:00PM

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

Snow Safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Conditions are good right now. Cornice falls and afternoon heating will require good timing for your objective. JBW

Summary

Weather Forecast

We may see some high cloud on Sunday that could prevent an overnight freeze. Otherwise, fine weather with slowly rising temperatures and freezing levels each day will continue through mid week.

Snowpack Summary

Spring conditions prevail. but it is not quite corn yet on the upper elevation southerly aspects. A 2cm crust is holding everything together while frozen. Northerly aspects are well settled withÂ some wind slabs. Lower elevations are going through the classic melt freeze daily cycle. Cornices are large and have been observed falling off every day.

Avalanche Summary

Wet afternoon slides have been covering some tracks. Timing is critical. Cornices have been observed falling off as early as 9:00 AM on sun exposed ridges, some of these have triggered deep slabs on the steep/extreme slopes below them.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Occurring in the afternoons, activity has been mainly isolated to very steep southerly slopes at tree-line and below. Higher freezing levels this weekend may bring more activity in the alpine.

Now is a good time to consider bigger objectives.Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Cornice failures have increased in number as the freezing levels rise. They have been triggering some slab avalanches, or have enough mass themselves to be a significant avalanche.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 31st, 2013 4:00PM