Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2017 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs, Cornices and Loose Wet.

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Solar radiation will have an impact on South East through West aspects tomorrow at treeline and below.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A clearing trend starting tomorrow will enter the forecast region. Temperatures however, will remain cool-ish hovering around -12 near 3000m. The wind may pickup to the moderate range from the west for a short period of time. The freezing level is not expected to rise much above surface tomorrow.

Snowpack Summary

Variable amounts of storm snow (10-30cm) has fallen through-out the region in the last 48 hours. Lower than anticipated temperatures kept the surface snow cool at treeline and up. Lower elevation snowpack is in a melt freeze cycle, recovering overnight and deteriorating through the day. A thick slab overlies facets in much of the region.

Avalanche Summary

No slab avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The snowpack is generally unstable, despite the strong feel of the surface layers. This layer remains reactive in snowpack test and can produced large avalanches. Patience is a virtue with this kind of problem.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Cornices

April is cornice season, and we are getting regular reports of cornices failing and triggering deep slabs. Mature cornices can propagate much further than you expect, so give them a wide margin when traveling on ridges.

Avoid steep slopes below cornices.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Sunny skies tomorrow may induce a solar cycle on South-East through West aspects at treeline and below.

Use extra caution on solar slopes, or if the snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2017 4:00PM