Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 16th, 2012 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

We will see some flurries through the weekend with easing winds and freezing levels to 1700m. Conditions are slowly improving as bridging strength increases, but consequences will be high if you trigger a slide on the Valentines surface hoar. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Storm Slabs

10-30cm of storm snow has created slabs 20-40cm thick. These will be susceptible to human triggering in the short term, especially in steeper terrain. Warm temperatures have promoted settlement and bonding of these slabs to the surfaces below.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The Valentines surface hoar layer has been less active over the last few days. The lack of activity may give some false security, but as it is now buried 70-100cm deep, any slope which gets triggered will produce large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 17th, 2012 4:00PM