Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 9th, 2016 4:00PM

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

stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Heating over the last two days has added a lot of moisture to the snowpack. Expect crusts to break down quickly at lower elevations and watch locally for cloud cover overnight which will prevent a good overnight freeze. Spring Conditions !

Summary

Weather Forecast

Current models show cloudy periods Saturday night and trace amounts of rain. Watch locally for overnight cloud cover as this will prevent a surface freeze from occurring. Plenty of sunny breaks and freezing levels to 2300m through the day.

Snowpack Summary

A very weak freeze below 3000m Sat morning, and isothermal snow was found up to treeline. In many places the snowpack is sitting on a deep persistent layer of facets that has been avalanching with solar heating over the previous week.

Avalanche Summary

Strong heating today with a light freeze generated a small and predictable cycle of loose wet avalanches mainly on S and W aspects.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep facet layers remain weak especially in thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

In the afternoon any steep slopes should be avoided when the crust on top of the snowpack melts. Expect this predominantly at lower elevations and on sun exposed slopes on Sunday. Start early and finish early!

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

We have seen numerous cornice failures in the past week during periods of warm temperatures, some of which have triggered large slabs on the slopes below. Minimize your time under these at this time of the year.

Even small cornice falls may trigger larger avalanches.Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 10th, 2016 4:00PM