Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 4th, 2023 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada GS, Avalanche Canada

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Snow conditions on the north and east aspects are good, but surface crusts persist elsewhere. The avalanche danger remains Moderate due to the persistent nature of the basal facet problem, where shallow snowpack areas are still causing concern (eg: the east side of Banff Park).

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported or observed today.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15cm of storm snow from the past 3 days buries sun crusts to ridgetop and temperature crusts below 1500m. The January sun crust and facet interface is down 40 to 120cm. The November depth hoar at the base of the snowpack remains weak.

Weather Summary

A building ridge of high pressure will give us another day of mostly clear skies with some clouds and the odd flurry here and there (no accumulation). Temperatures will remain cool with valley bottom highs reaching only +1 and light winds. Spring is not here quite yet, but look for temperatures and freezing levels to rise starting on Friday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

The November basal facets remain a concern for triggering. Snowpack tests continue to produce moderate to hard sudden collapse results. Unfortunately, we can't forget about this problem yet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Apr 5th, 2023 4:00PM