Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 3rd, 2019 4:00PM

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

stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Forecasters have transitioned to springtime danger ratings. Thursday should remain cooler but watch locally for solar input as this will raise the danger rating.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud tomorrow with a trace of snow in the AM. The day will stay fairly cool with valley bottoms in the 2 to 5C range and 3000m temperatures -8 to -10C. Some solar input for the afternoon but will be localized depending on cloud cover. Winds will be west and strong at 3000m diminishing in the afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

The snow surface is melt-freeze crust on all areas except alpine and treeline north and east aspects where there's up to 20 cm of old soft snow. There is still concern for a buried facet layer in the upper 30 cm of the snowpack on alpine N aspects and pockets of unconsolidated snow.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed today.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Dry snow remains on alpine, north aspect slopes. We have only seen a few isolated occurrences in steep, isolated features like moraines and glacier rolls over the past week, but continue to observe the weakness in snowpack assessments.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Likely a cooler day with forecasted cloud cover for Thursday and crusts will likely remain intact for the day. Monitor the solar input and daytime heating to avoid any gully features where wet snow may run.

Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 4th, 2019 4:00PM