Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2013 4:00PM

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

ian jackson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Watch out for the strong effect of solar radiation if the sun shows itself on Tuesday! Cornices and solar aspect slopes can lose strength quickly at this time of year.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tues: A small ridge of high pressure will bring some clearing, however thin clouds will likely remain. Alpine temps -5/-7. Alpine winds light from the SW. Wed: A system approaches bringing 15-30cm with freezing levels to 2000m and moderate to strong SW alpine winds.Thurs: A clearing trend with cooling temps, and lighter winds.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temperatures have tightened the snowpack, creating a supportive crust at lower elevations. In the alpine and at treeline, convective storms have dropped 10 - 30 cm of new snow which sits on top of suncrusts on solar aspects and old facetted snow on polar aspects. In some areas, windslabs may exist, although the winds have been mostly light.

Avalanche Summary

No new naturals observed today.Â Limited observations by Parks staff

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Storm Slabs

This layer will likely be most reactive to human triggering where it sits on a buried crust (solar aspects) or in areas that have received wind effect. We may see some natural activity on this layer when the sun comes out and destabilizes it.

Minimize exposure to sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2013 4:00PM