Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 2nd, 2013 4:48PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Spring time conditions exist. Watch for increasing hazard on solar aspects as day time temperatures increase.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light snow with accumulations around 5 cm forecasted for Wednesday. Freezing levels will be around 2000 metres.

Snowpack Summary

Spring time conditions. Overnight crusts on solar aspects are breaking down by early afternoon. North aspects are dry above 2200 m. The forecasted new snow will be sitting on a hard crust on most aspects and may be easily triggered by skiers or with afternoon warming.

Avalanche Summary

Some cloud cover and light alpine winds kept things cooler today. Some isothermal loose snow avalanches on steep solar aspects were observed in afternoon.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Over the past several days a spring time isothermal cycle has resulted in numerous loose wet snow avalanches up to Class 3 on steep solar aspects in the afternoon.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wet Slabs

Over the past several days a spring time isothermal cycle has produced numerous wet slab avalanches up to Class 3 on solar aspects in the afternoon.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

Cornice falls have been observed nearly every day. Some of these have been triggering slabs on the faces below. Many have run over usual travel routes.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 3rd, 2013 4:00PM