Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 2nd, 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.

lisa paulson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Forecasters have transitioned to springtime danger ratings. Early starts and finishes are crucial. Avalanche danger relates directly to solar input and daytime warming.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Likely a cooler day tomorrow with some cloud to moving in this evening and building tomorrow with a few flurries expected by late afternoon.Â Winds will be mostly lightÂ SW with occasional gusts.Â Avalanche danger is related directly to solar input and and warming daytime temperatures.

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.Â 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. There have been several small cornice failures over the past w days associated with the warmest parts of the day.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Dry snow remains on alpine, north aspect slopes. We have not seen an avalanche regarding this problem for a while, but continue to observe the weakness in snowpack assessments. Heads up - if anywhere could release a dry slab it would be here.

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 Wed and crusts will likely remain intact for the day. Should the forecasted weather be inaccurate, monitor the solar input and daytime heating to avoid any gully features where wet snow may run.

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

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Apr 3rd, 2019 4:00PM