Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2013 4:09PM

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

Parks Canada snow safety, Parks Canada

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Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Snow to begin tonight with greatest amounts on the Wapta, along the Divide and West of it. Far less is expected on the East side. The hazard will increase accordingly. Expect new slab development with strong west winds.  We may see rain to 1800 m. LP

Summary

Weather Forecast

A significant system moves into the area tonight through to Sunday.  Freezing levels will rise to 1800 m (rain at lower elevations) and snow is expected with strong west winds.  Amounts will be greatest along the divide and west of it, much less is expected East of the divide. Amounts are uncertain, but we can expect the hazard to rise.

Snowpack Summary

Throughout the region there are some fresh wind slabs up to 25 cm thick in immediate lee resting over more stubborn hard slabs. West of the divide the mid-pack is generally well settled and the East side the mid-pack is faceted. The early January surface hoar is down ~50 cm in some areas but is unreactive to slope and field tests. 

Avalanche Summary

A skier accidental size 2.5 occurred on a steep cross loaded feature in the National Geographics, near Lake Louise, click here for image: http://on.fb.me/15m3Ghd (francais: http://on.fb.me/YL9MWx). It was triggered from the upper circle and the skier got out at the lower circle.  The hard slab was 40-60 cm thick and ran the full length of the path.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Soft and hard windslabs 10-60 cm thick exist in the lees of features.  Fresh slabs will form with the incoming storm and will likely be touchy.  This may overload existing wind slabs.  A natural avalanche cycle is likely over the next few days.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Even small avalanches may run a long ways under the current conditions.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2013 4:00PM

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