Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 22nd, 2014–Apr 23rd, 2014

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Spring time conditions exist. Pay attention to how strong the overnight freeze is and how quickly it warms during the day. Start your tours early and be home before it warms up.

Weather Forecast

Tonight brings scattered flurries and freezing levels near valley bottom. Wednesday brings a mix of sun and cloud with freezing levels near 2000 m. Thursday freezing levels may rise to 2400 m.

Snowpack Summary

Warm day time temperature and very mild overnight freezes are the current conditions. Moist snow in afternoon on solar aspects up to ridgetops and to 2400 m on polar aspects. Temperature crusts breaking down by mid-morning.

Avalanche Summary

Kootenay Park had a loose snow avalanche cycle yesterday afternoon. Surface loose snow avalanches up to Class 2 running out of steep rocky terrain. Debris generally running to top of runouts. No slab avalanches observed.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Loose wet avalanches are possible in the afternoon as a result of day time heating. Monitor how thick the crusts are and how quickly they break down during the day.

Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of rain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Although unlikely it is still possible to trigger a slab avalanche on one of the deep persistent layers. Skier triggering of this layer is more likely in shallow snowpack areas.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Cornices

Cornices weaken with day time heating. Field observations show numerous recent cornice collapses.

Do not travel on slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2