Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2016 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 Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Wet.

tim haggarty, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Heating over the last two days has added a lot of heat to the snowpack. Expect crusts to break down quickly at lower elevations despite the cooler temperatures that are forecast. Spring Conditions !

Summary

Weather Forecast

Following the hot and sunny conditions Thursday and Friday, passage of a cold front late Friday promises to bring cooler temperatures for Saturday with freezing levels peaking at around 2200m through Sunday. Watch for sunny periods to bring heating on both days with a bit more clearing likely on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

The morning snowpack is strong when frozen, but this can rapidly break down with warming. In many places the snowpack is sitting on a deep persistent layer of facets that has been avalanching with solar heating over the previous week. Telemetry stopped working at 2200 yesterday evening.

Avalanche Summary

Reasonably strong heating today likely generated a cycle of loose wet avalanches mainly on S and W aspects.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep facet layers remain weak especially in thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

In the afternoon any steep slopes should be avoided when the crust on top of the snowpack melts. Expect this predominantly at lower elevations and on sun exposed slopes for the weekend. Start early and finish early!

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2016 4:00PM