Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 14th, 2014 4:00PM

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

Grant Statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Today was an amazing day in the mountains! We are rating the danger low at all elevations, but read here to see how we treat danger ratings in the spring. Afternoons are warming up slightly, but not much. We are a few weeks behind a typical spring.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The northwesterly flow that has been keeping the temperatures cool will continue through the middle of this week, and both Tues and Wed will have cloud cover and light/moderate snow. Freezing levels will hit 1600m with light flurries beginning mid-day on Tuesday and building into Wednesday with a possibility of 10cm by the time it's over.

Snowpack Summary

A supportive melt-freeze crust exists on all aspects to 2300m, and higher on south and west aspects. The snowpack is well settled with no surface instabilities as long as the temperature remains cool. Cornices are a concern on most days this year, particularly from noon onward as they get baked by the sun.

Avalanche Summary

Small loose snow point release avalanche were observed on south facing terrain in the afternoon.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem seems to have calmed down in the last week, but we remained concerned and expect to see more of these avalanches when the temperatures warm up again.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

On Tuesday expect this problem only on lower elevation, sun exposed places. Watch out in steep cliffy areas or steep forest in the afternoon.

Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Spring is cornice season and a great time to try and totally avoid exposure to cornices. If you must go under one, move quickly and reduce your risk by reducing your exposure time.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 15th, 2014 4:00PM