Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 7th, 2014 4:29PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Pay attention to how quickly the day is warming up and how good the overnight freeze is. Start and finish your days early.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mixed sun and cloud with freezing levels around 2500 m for Thursday. Friday and Saturday forecasted for flurries and freezing levels around 2100 m.

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine there is 5 -10 cm of low density new snow overtop of the previous 40-60 cm of storm snow from last week.Â All aspects except true north are seeing the effects of solar heating with sun crusts forming to ridgetops. On north aspects the storm snow is bonding well to previous surfaces and is dry above 2000 m.

Avalanche Summary

Solar related loose snow avalanches up to Class 2.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

A sunny day with high freezing levels is forecasted for Thursday. Expect solar related avalanches as the day warms up.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Pay attention to shallow snowpack areas, as this is the most likely place to trigger this deeper instability.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: May 8th, 2014 4:00PM