Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Apr 3 – 4, 2015Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

This weekend's up slope storm has the potential to generate rapid storm loading conditions. Pay attention to cornices and monitor the interface of the new snow on the recently buried melt-freeze crusts at tree line and buried wind slabs in the alpine

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Recent wind slabs will become buried with Saturday/Sunday's up-slope storm.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Later in the afternoon as the snow begins to accumulate and load up on southerly aspects in particular, this might produce significant skier triggerable loose snow avalanches.

Weather Forecast

Cool maritime air mass off the coast will produce a series of fronts, which for the Rockies will produce some significant snowfall beginning late morning on Saturday. This storm will be up slope in nature and will produce heavy snowfall at times. Winds will be light to moderate and freezing levels will be at around 1900 meters mid-day. 

Snowpack Summary

2-5 cm of recent snow overlies a prominent rain crust from March 28th. The upper and mid pack is well settled and depth hoar is still evident as the basal characteristic in much of the forecast area, especially the east side of the continental divide. Wind slabs still linger on recently buried crusts on solar aspects will be the primary problem.

Avalanche Summary

Thin wind slabs with explosives produced up to size 1.0 in the alpine. No other avalanche activity reported or observed.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered