Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 27th, 2018 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Touchy windslabs and winloaded open areas are best avoided for a few days. Even open areas below treeline are being affected.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will remain below freezing with moderate to strong west winds and light snow. More precipitation is expected Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong SW winds are creating wind slabs in alpine and treeline areas and beginning to overload cornices. 10-20 cm of recent snow sits over a melt freeze crust on solar aspects with some facets at the crust interface. In shallow snowpack areas the basal facets remain quite weak and may be susceptible to triggering with large loads.

Avalanche Summary

A skier accidental in the Sheol Valley indicates the need for continued vigilance. Poor visibility limited observations today.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs and wind effect will continue to be a problem.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

As the new snow increases the load over the March 15 crust on solar aspects we may start to see avalanche activity on this layer. If the facets below the crust also fail, larger propagations will be possible.

Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 28th, 2018 4:00PM