Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Apr 19 – 20, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Conditions are generally good.  In bigger alpine terrain, watch out for thin wind slabs  that can be triggered in steep terrain.  If the sun pokes out Saturday, watch for increasing hazard on solar slopes. SH

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Moderate winds have created areas of thin wind slabs in lee areas above 2400 m.  These slabs were more sensitive to triggering Friday with warmer temps. 

Weather Forecast

Moderate W-NW winds Saturday with cooling temperatures and freezing levels staying near valley bottom.  Light snow Friday night into Saturday.  Sunday through Monday expect cooling temperatures and light N winds.

Snowpack Summary

A weak freeze this morning with freezing levels up to 2000m. There are areas of wind effect in the alpine and isolated wind slabs can be expected in lee areas above 2400 m which can be triggered in steep terrain.

Avalanche Summary

A field team on the South side of Mt. Patterson ski cut a size 1 thin avalanche out of 45 degree terrain at 3100m today.  A size 2 avalanche was also triggered yesterday which was 50cm thick and  80cm wide, which apparently slid on a crust on a SE aspect.  This was on Mt. Unity in the Lake Louise backcountry at 2500m.

Confidence

on Saturday

Regions covered