[AB]

Avalanche Bulletin - Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks

Issued Tue Apr 30, 2013 17:00
Valid Until further notice

This concludes our avalanche bulletin season. However, avalanches still persist. Mainly, we are faced with spring time conditions, cool mornings, hot afternoons. Danger will be HIGH on hot afternoons. Have a safe and enjoyable spring and summer.

        

Danger Ratings: Wednesday

alpine treeline below treeline alpine: N/A - No Rating, treeline: N/A - No Rating, below treeline: N/A - No Rating
alpine: N/A - No Rating
N/A - No Rating N/A
N/A
treeline: N/A - No Rating
N/A - No Rating N/A
N/A
below treeline: N/A - No Rating
N/A - No Rating N/A
N/A
Forecast Thursday Friday
alpine
 N/A - No Rating N/A - No Rating
treeline N/A - No Rating N/A - No Rating
below treeline N/A - No Rating N/A - No Rating
Confidence: Fair - Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Observations

Past 24 Hr WeatherN Kootenay 1985/2405mBow Summit 2000mSunshine 2200m
Maximum (°C)Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Minimum (°C)Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Snowfall (cm)Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Snow Pack (cm)Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Wind speedNot AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Ridgetop wind directionNot AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Past 24 Hr WeatherN Kootenay 1985/2405mBow Summit 2000mSunshine 2200m
Maximum (°C)Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Minimum (°C)Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Snowfall (cm)Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Snow Pack (cm)Not AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Wind speedNot AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Ridgetop wind directionNot AvailableNot AvailableNot Available
Low Moderate Considerable High Extreme
  • Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
  • Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.
  • Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.
  • Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
  • Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.
  • Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.
  • Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.
  • Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.
  • Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.
  • Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.
  • Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.
  • Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain.
  • Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.
  • Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

Problem 1: Loose Wet

Which Elevation?

Which Elevation? alpine, treeline

Which Slopes?

Which Slopes? southeast, south, southwest, west, east

Chance of Avalanches?

Chance of Avalanches? possible

Expected Size?

Expected Size? small - very large

Expect a large springtime avalanche cycle on hot afternoons. Because this is one of the first major warming events, expect avalanches to reach their maximum run-outs in the hottest part of the day.