Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 2nd, 2012 4:21PM

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

lisa paulson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The recent 50 cm of storm snow is now being moved by strong SW wind. Lake Louise region seems to be the most active lately. Expect continued windslab development and some avalanche activity relating to wind loading. Cornices are building. LP

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Mod. to stg SW winds triggered a few more slides on this layer in Lake Louise region on NE aspects. Less activity in the rest of the region. Some avalanche activity may continue to occur tomorrow in the LL region with continued stg SW winds.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Storm Slabs

Strong SW winds will scrub some slopes tonight and load lee features. Avoid windloaded pockets/steeper slopes where a suncrust may be buried. We've found a range of easy to hard shears on this layer, pending on location.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Feb 14th - now down 60-150 cm. This layer may have been the failure layer on the recent Pope's pk slide (MCR/facebook) & was remotely triggered in the Lake Louise slack country, yesterday. Winds will continue to load this layer, heads up in LL area.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 3rd, 2012 4:00PM