Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 15th, 2012 4:00PM

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

Lisa Paulson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Fantastic skiing can be found, especially if you start and finish early to take advantage of the frozen crusts. Should be another good freeze tonight. See our facebook for photo's of avalanches from Hector and Jimmy Simpson - should be up soon!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs up to 40 cm thick are reactive where they sit over sun crusts, or on temperature crusts on shady asp. Today at 1145 am there was a skier triggered size 2.5 avalanche from 60 m away on a SE asp (2700 m) of a sub-pk of Jimmy Simpson.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Watch out for thin & steep areas and large loads such as cornice failure which could trigger deep weaknesses. Thin areas are veiled by the new snow. Pay attention to snow distribution and depth as you travel.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Wet

Skies should clear tonight, and we should see another strong freeze. Expect increasing cloud tomorrow afternoon with the passage of a front. Cloud cover may vary through the region, so pay attention to solar affect triggering slides, and start early.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 16th, 2012 4:00PM