Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 5th, 2016 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 Loose Wet.

grant statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The cool weather of Tuesday locked down the snowpack with frozen surface crusts into alpine elevations. We expect the same for Wednesday - avalanche and travel conditions are good, but the ski quality is poor.

Summary

Weather Forecast

One more day of overcast skies and cool weather before another big warm up. Wednesday look to remain below freezing at treeline, although valley bottoms will again reach 7 degrees. Another warm ridge of high pressure arrives on Thursday, and temperatures will skyrocket for Thursday afternoon and Friday.

Snowpack Summary

A skiff of new snow on top of surface crusts that remained intact today except at valley bottom elevations. The morning snowpack is strong when frozen, but this can rapidly break down with warming. In many places the snowpack is sitting on a deep persistent layer of facets that has been avalanching with solar heating over the previous week.

Avalanche Summary

Today remained cool, with no new avalanches observed or reported. Our field trip through Surprise Pass showed a snowpack locked up from the cold temperatures with no new avalanches anywhere.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Valley bottom temperatures will rise above freezing on Wednesday, and in the afternoon any steep slopes in the forest or low elevation gullies should be avoided when the crust on top of the snowpack melts.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 6th, 2016 4:00PM