Archived

Avalanche Forecast

May 11th, 2014–May 12th, 2014

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Conditions for spring skiing are excellent and many big lines are being skied. Watch for daytime heating or intense solar inputs and limit exposure to cornices especially later in the day. Start and finish early and enjoy the great conditions!

Weather Forecast

Monday and Tuesday look like continued great weather for spring skiing with clear skies overnight and light winds. Low temperatures in the alpine will be between -2 and -5'C and highs between 3 and 6'C. Wednesday will be cloudy with a chance of light flurries, warmer temperatures and a limited freeze overnight.

Snowpack Summary

A melt freeze crust is present on solar aspects in the alpine and on all aspects at tree line and below which deteriorates with daytime heating. Dry powder on N aspects in the alpine with light wind effect near ridge crests. Steep solar aspects and the lower elevation snowpack are becoming isothermal with daytime heating.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet slides starting by mid morning on steep solar aspects in the alpine today. Evidence of previous loose wet avalanches up to size 2 with daytime heating in the past several days. Still lingering concerns for deep slabs on the basal facets in the alpine if/when we get a period of prolonged heat or a big rise in daytime temperatures.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

The main concern right now is for loose wet avalanches triggered by intense sun or general daytime heating. The hazard will rise and loose wet avalanches will become likely as things warm up each day.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2