Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 29 – 30, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

The spring cycle is in full effect right now. Danger ratings on solar aspects will increase with daytime warming to considerable/high, so start early and be back at the trail-head before the heat of the day!

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Cornice failures have increased in number as the freezing levels rise. They may trigger an avalanche, or be an avalanche themselves in couloirs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    In shallow snowpack areas, particularly east of the divide, whumphing has subsided. However, recent avalanche activity from cornice falls and warm temperatures shows it is still a layer to be respected, especiallly on solar aspects

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Occurring in the afternoons, activity has been mainly isolated to very steep slopes at tree-line and below. Higher freezing levels this weekend may bring more activity in the alpine.

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will be above normal, with freezing levels hitting 2200m tomorrow and possibly 2700m on Sunday. We may see scattered clouds later in the afternoon, but there shouldn't be any precipitation associated with them. Winds will be light from the NW.

Snowpack Summary

W of divide. S through W slopes developing variable melt freeze crusts, thickest on steep W aspects.  Powder snow on N aspects. Generally well settled snowpack.E of divide settled wind slabs over basal facets. Supportive travel with variable sun crust up to 2700m.

Avalanche Summary

Natural cornice release off Wapta Peak near Mt Field this morning, good size 2 pulling small slab below and creating a large powder cloud. See photo here. A size 3 slab off a south aspect was noted in the drainage north of Mt Bourgeau. This likely failed on a sun crust, but scrubbed down to ground lower in the runout.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Regions covered