Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 27th, 2018 4:00PM

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

grant statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

In general the snowpack is strong and we have seen the mid snowpack weak layers gain significant strength over the past two weeks. RIght now the main issue is windslabs in leeward pockets from the past 48 hours - they are small but could catch you.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Minor warming trend over the next few days, with highs reaching -2 by Thursday.Â Otherwise expect light flurries with no significant accumulations over the next few days.Â Overnight Tuesday will continue to be windy, with winds shifting to the southwest and slowing down on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

5 cm of loose snow on the surface at treeline with wind slabs forming in open areas at higher elevations. Three mid-pack weak layers of surface hoar and/or facets appear well bonded, but are worth keeping in mind on bigger slopes. Snowpack tests are showing no results on those layers.

Avalanche Summary

Windslabs us to size 1.5 from explosives control at Sunshine Village.Â Otherwise no new avalanches reported.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Fresh wind slabs exist in lee areas in the alpine. While they may not be very thick or particularly touchy, they certainly have the potential to carry you into an undesirable location (cliffs/terrain traps) if triggered in steep terrain.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

We continue to track three mid-snowpack weak layers from earlier this winter. They are bonding well and test results no longer show failures here. This problem continues to be in the back of our minds, but our confidence in the snowpack has improved.

Ride large slopes one at a time and spot your partners from safe locations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

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