Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 13th, 2013 4:00PM

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

Snow Safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Spring storms can create quite variable snowfall amounts from one location to the next. Evaluate each slope individually.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The heavy snow fall warning looks to be mostly for areas east of the mountains, but we may see another 10-15cm over higher terrain

Snowpack Summary

There has been up to 30 cm of storm snow over the last few days. There is some wind effect in the alpine that has created isolated soft slabs in immediate lee terrain. These slabs overlay 10-30 cm of previous storm snow, which rests on suncrusts on solar aspects and facetted snow on polar aspects.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches observed or reported.Â

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for isolated soft slabs in the lee of alpine features.� These were obvious to see and avoid today, but will be blanketed by new snow tonight.�

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

Loose snow avalanches involving the storm snow running underlying crusts can be expected to accompany snowfall and increase in winds forecasted for tonight and tomorrow.� This is a definite concern for skiers and climbers in gully/couloir features.

The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 14th, 2013 4:00PM