Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 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.

william lawson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Convective weather over the next few days should refresh snow conditions through the weekend. Good powder skiing can still be found on high north aspects.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A mix of sun and cloud for Friday with valley bottom temps reaching plus 10C. Precipe forecasted later in the day, expect light amount of snow at higher elevations and rain in the valley. After a cool down on Thursday night the freezing levels will stay relatively steady between 1700 to 2000m for the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Light dusting of snow over a 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. 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.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Dry snow remains on alpine, north aspect slopes. We have only seen a few isolated occurrences in steep, isolated features like moraines and glacier rolls over the past week, but continue to observe the weakness in snowpack assessments.

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

This problem is directly related to daytime heating and solar inputs. Even on a cloudy day localized solar effect can quickly change the snow stability. Monitor changing conditions and avoid gully features later in the day 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 5th, 2019 4:00PM