Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 8th, 2014 4:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet.

grant statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

More rain and wet snow on the way for Friday, with up to 15 cm at treeline in some locations. Snow conditions are excellent on North facing terrain, and crusty on all other slopes. Temperatures will warm up significantly on Saturday and Sunday.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A weather system will cross the region starting Friday and ending mid-day on Saturday. Forecasts predict between 10-15 cm of wet snow with very light winds and freezing levels to 2200 m. Freezing levels will then rise progressively through to Monday, when the freezing level will reach 3200 m.

Snowpack Summary

North facing slopes hold 20 cm of dry powder with no shears underlying, and all other aspects up to 3000 m have a melt/freeze crust on the surface. This crust is breakable in many places, but today began to hold the weight of a skier (just) on steep south facing terrain at 2400 meters. Friday's 10-15 cm of wet snow may fluff easily on the crust.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

10-15 cm of wet snow will sluff easily in steep terrain, and gather mass as if moves. Low elevations may experience rain, which will also trigger wet avalanches.

Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: May 9th, 2014 4:00PM