Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 20th, 2014 4:00PM

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

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Put a wide margin between yourself and cornices, as they are particularly sensitive at the moment. Additionally, watch out for a weather system that will move into the region starting Tuesday and elevating the hazard.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A system is going to track through the forecast region starting Tuesday afternoon. It is calling for warm temps and a moderate amount of precip. This COULD amount to rain at valley bottoms, hence the considerable danger rating on Tuesday below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

HST settling and a surface crust will exist in the am and break down over the day on all aspects up to to 2200ms, higher on S and W aspects. Cornices seem to be more sensitive to the temperature fluctuations especially on the solar aspects and have been seen to trigger slabs below both in the storm snow and the deeper persistent layers.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Loose Wet

This problem will be active on solar exposures receiving daytime heating. Cloudy skies will mitigate the severity of the wet spring cycle to a certain extent.

Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Inputs to watch out for are intense solar radiation. Although there is low likelihood that this avalanche problem will occur, the consequences are high if it does.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 21st, 2014 4:00PM