Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 17th, 2013 4:00PM

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

Snow Safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Expect some light flurries the next few days with light wind. The new snow may hide the underlying thin slab condition. (LP)

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light flurries with light SW wind expected for the next 3 days.Â Freezing levels will rise to 1800 m and then drop down again on Saturday night.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine last weeks storm snow is settling and bonding to crusts on solar aspects and to faceted snow on north and east aspects. Isolated thin wind slabs can be expected in the high alpine. Temperatures stayed cool today and the crusts below tree-line stayed supportive well into the afternoon.

Avalanche Summary

Some avalanche observations from ACMG Ski Guide Exam today:Â on Vermillion Peak (KNP) a size 2 loose avalanche on an East aspect and a size 2 slab (~30 cm thick) on a North aspect, cross-loaded feature, click here for photo.Â Yesterday, they were able to ski cut thin size 1 hard slabs on West aspects in the high alpine on Cathedral (YNP).Â

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Watch for isolated thin slabs in the lee of alpine features. These slabs may be hidden by recent light snowfall.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 18th, 2013 4:00PM