Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Apr 30 – May 1, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

There will not be a strong freeze tonight - skies will be cloudy with some clear periods and freezing levels will only dip to approximately 2500 m.  Crusts will not form well tonight and will break down early.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Expect loose avalanches in steep sun affected terrain initiating from cornice failures or snow falling off cliffs/rocks.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    3–4
    Without a good freeze tonight and warm temps on Thursday, it would not be a surprise to see the odd large avalanche on this layer.

Weather Forecast

There will not be a strong freeze tonight.  Freezing levels will only dip to 2500 m for a short period tonight and a slight temperature inversion is expected.  Thurs will be cloudy with some sun alpine temps of 10-14C &  showers/flurries move in overnight. Friday temperatures will drop through the day, with 5-10 cm/day forecasted for Fri/Sat & Sun.

Snowpack Summary

A solid melt freeze crust to exists up to 2400 m, a little lower on North aspects. Dry uncrusted snow with up to 10cm of settled powder exists only steeper North aspects. Isolated, small windslabs exist in leeward areas in the high alpine. Crusts will not be as strong Thursday with a lack of overnight freeze and a slight inversion forecasted.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose snow avalanches to size 2.5 pouring off cliffs with sun affect as early as 8 am.

Confidence

Regions covered