Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 30 – 31, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

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

Conditions are good right now. Cornice falls and afternoon heating will require good timing for your objective. JBW

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Cornice failures have increased in number as the freezing levels rise. They have been  triggering some slab avalanches, or have enough mass themselves to be a significant avalanche.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Occurring in the afternoons, activity has been mainly isolated to very steep southerly  slopes at tree-line and below. Higher freezing levels this weekend may bring more activity in the alpine.

Weather Forecast

We may see some high cloud on Sunday that could prevent an overnight freeze. Otherwise, fine weather with slowly rising temperatures and freezing levels each day will continue through mid week.

Snowpack Summary

Spring conditions prevail. but it is not quite corn yet on the upper elevation southerly aspects. A 2cm crust is holding everything together while frozen. Northerly aspects are well settled with  some wind slabs. Lower elevations are going through the classic melt freeze daily cycle. Cornices are large and have been observed falling off every day.

Avalanche Summary

Wet afternoon slides have been covering some tracks. Timing is critical. Cornices have been observed falling off as early as 9:00 AM on sun exposed ridges, some of these have triggered deep slabs on the steep/extreme slopes below them.

Confidence

Regions covered