Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 26th, 2013 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeA robust wind event with varying snow amounts will occur this weekend making for the possibility of natural avalanches at upper elevations. Watch locally for wind slab development. SH
Summary
Weather Forecast
Strong to extreme West winds Saturday (85-100+kmh) with incoming snow of 20-25 cm in the alpine along the divide. Much less snow is expected in the Banff region. Freezing levels to 1900m . Continued windy conditions Sunday with some light snow. Monday we will see a cooling trend.
Snowpack Summary
Very warm and windy conditions Friday with no overnight freeze up to 2500m. Variable wind slabs in alpine regions sit over a variety of harder surfaces and a generally well settled midpack.
Avalanche Summary
Limited observations Friday but no new avalanches reported.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous winds created areas of wind slab in open areas above 2200 m. Watch for touchy wind slab development at treeline and above Saturday with incoming snow and wind. These will be easiest to trigger where they overly harder surfaces and crusts.
- Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Watch for heavy sloughing where powder overlies harder bed surfaces. In steep terrain, this could push you over a cliff or into a terrain trap.
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 27th, 2013 4:00PM