Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 6th, 2014–Apr 7th, 2014

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

4: High

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Rising freezing levels should be expected over the next day or two. Keep in mind that rapidly warming conditions are detrimental to the snowpack and increase avalanche risk.

Weather Forecast

Rising freezing levels over the next two days (possibly to 2300m) will hold the danger rating at considerable. On Tuesday night the forecast could see up to 25cm of snow with warm temperatures and strong wind. This will elevate the danger rating to high on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

New wind slabs 15-25 cm thick in the immediate lees. Western areas such as Emerald and Field have a deep and stable snowpack. Contrast this with the Lake Louise, Hwy 93 N, & Sunshine areas, where there is a weaker snowpack with sudden collapse very easy compression results on the basal depth hoar. A crust exists on all but N aspects.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

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

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Thin areas mainly E of the divide are still susceptible to triggering basal layers causing larger avalanches. Big triggers such as cornice failures could be enough load to trigger an avalanche on the ground level.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs in the lees of alpine ridge crests will still be susceptible to human triggering in the short term.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2