Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Apr 4 – 5, 2015Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Weather models are not in agreement for snow amounts Saturday night. If more snow falls than forecast, the danger rating may increase beyond moderate in certain locations. The skiing should be excellent.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Recent wind slabs will become buried with the forecasted up-slope storm. Monitor how these are bonding to harder surfaces below.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Up to 20+cm accumulated overnight into Sunday will bring sluffing in steep terrain, especially if the sun pokes through.  It will also sluff easily on any harder crust layers. The amount of sluffing will depend highly on any associated wind.

Weather Forecast

The weather man says an upslope storm will bring another 10-15 cm in the alpine East of the divide overnight into Sunday, with lesser amounts to the W. It is possible we may see higher amounts in the Banff region. Light SE winds and freezing levels to valley bottom will bring a refresh to the ski quality.

Snowpack Summary

6-12 cm low density snow in the last 24 hours E of the divide overlies previous isolated wind slabs and a rain crust from March 28th. The upper and mid pack are well settled. A mainly dormant basal depth hoar layer is still very prominent in much of the forecast area, especially East of the continental divide where snowpack depths are variable.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity reported today.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Regions covered