Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Apr 20, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Spring is here. The avalanche hazard will increase dramatically in the afternoon when the temperatures rise and the snow becomes moist. Sunday will be particularly warm with the freezing levels forecasted to rise to 2800 m.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Some forecasts call for as much as 10-15 cm of new snow on Thursday night with mod to strong southwest winds. If this snow materializes watch for fresh windslabs in the alpine. In many areas these slabs will be sitting on a smooth crust.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    The main concern in the snowpack is with wet loose snow avalanches on solar aspects in the afternoon. Pay attention to how hard of a freeze there was from the previous night and how quickly the snow is warming up. Start and finish yourr tours early.

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Regions covered