Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 29th, 2013 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Tomorrow we will issue our last bulletin for the season. Likely it will include generic advice for spring time conditions. Also, we expect an increase in temp by Thurs and a subsequent springtime avalanche cycle. Low in the AM and High in the PM.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Colder than seasonal temperatures and light precip is expected until Thursday. Little change until then. However, temperatures will rise drastically by Friday and we expect to see a large spring avalanche cycle at that time.

Snowpack Summary

Cooler temperatures have refrozen the snowpack. Upper elevations have new fresh snow and some wind-slabs.

Avalanche Summary

There have been a few cornice falls and steep wind slabs reported over the last week. All on steep terrain and not running very far.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs have formed on lee features in the alpine. These new wind slabs are sitting on a crust or facets and have been triggered in very steep terrain up to 30 cm thick.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 30th, 2013 4:00PM