Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 24th, 2014 4:00PM

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

grant statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Clear skies and cold temperatures produced a solid freeze last night. The same is expected for Friday if the skies clear tonight. Excellent conditions: soft powder on shaded slopes and frozen/corn snow in the sunshine below 2200m in the afternoon.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mixed clear skies and some clouds overnight should result in another good surface freeze on the snowpack. Friday looks like a repeat of Thursday, with mixed sun and clouds and freezing levels rising to 2100 m. No new snow expected, and highs of +1 expected for Friday afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

Clear skies and overnight temperatures below freezing should result in a strong surface crust on Friday morning. This crust exists up to 2300m, above where 10cm of dry powder overlies a dry, winter snowpack. Isolated windslabs were reported in the high alpine (3000m) near ridges. Conditions are solid, but watch for deterioration in the afternoon.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Reported in the high alpine (peaks on the Wapta), these small slabs have resulted from the new snow that fell over the past 48 hours.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The deep, persistent weakness remains in the snowpack. This problem appears dormant until the next big warm spell, but we continue to note it's presence.

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

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 25th, 2014 4:00PM