Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2013 4:00PM

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

chris gooliaff, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Touchy slabs still overlie a mainly weak, faceted base east of the Divide.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The clouds move in tomorrow with very light flurries developing over southern areas of the region (south of Hwy 1). Winds will pick up in the moderate range from the west and temp's remain cool.

Snowpack Summary

The storm snow from last weekend seems to be bonding reasonably well to the underlying snow surfaces. However, in areas of thinner snowpack (east of the Divide) and on steeper, southern aspects, the storm slab remains touchy. Human triggering to size 3 is possible, if you hit the weak spot.

Avalanche Summary

Small loose, wet slides were observed from steep solar aspects this afternoon. Whumphing / settling was also observed along ridge features in shallow snowpack areas east of the Divide.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Storm Slabs

The storm slab seems to be bonding to older surfaces. West of the Divide, the storm slab is stubborn and harder to move, however slabs are still touchy east of the Divide where they overlie a weak, shallow, faceted snowpack.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2013 5:00PM