Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 10th, 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.

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Good spring skiing conditions continue for those willing to walk high enough to escape the surface crusts. Short bursts of convective snow showers can add up and make for good powder skiing on north facing slopes in April.

Summary

Weather Forecast

An unsettled NW flow has established itself over the region and will make for a mixed week. Thursday looks to be a mix of clear skies with possible convective snow showers in the afternoon but no significant accumulation. Temps ranging from -6 to +2 and freezing levels to 2000m. 5-10 cm possible for Friday.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of new snow by Wed morning has melted at low elevations and made for about 30 cm of dry powder on high elevation north aspects. This snow is well settled and bonded to the underlying layers. Surface crusts exists on most aspects and elevations in the morning, deteriorating by noon. Facets exist in the upper snowpack on high north aspects.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today. A small windslab was triggered in a cross loaded slope under the Granddaddy Couloir on Tuesday.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

This problem remains in our forecast due to the weak structure of the snowpack, but we have not seen it produce an avalanche for several weeks. Regardless, we suggest caution in high elevation shaded areas where the snowpack is unseasonably weak.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 11th, 2019 4:00PM