Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2015 4:36PM

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

grant statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Warm temperatures forecast for this week should be pause for thought after such a long spell of low danger. Areas such as south facing gullies should be avoided this week, as slush and rockfall can be expected. Valley bottoms may become isothermal.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Looks like a warm week ahead as a warm, westerly flow runs across the region. Tuesday looks like a mostly sunny day with freezing levels reaching 2000m and alpine winds remaining strong from the west. Looks like some precipitation coming for Thursday (up to 10 cm).

Snowpack Summary

Despite the warm temperatures, strong winds above treeline today kept the snow surface cool in all but the most sheltered areas. The snowpack remains solid, with the exception of isolated steep, south facing slopes below 1900m where solar triggered wet avalanches can be expected in the afternoon. The facets near the ground remain dormant.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed today.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

The warm temperatures will create wet sluffs and rockfall on south facing cliffs and gullies below treeline. Ice climbers should avoid this terrain, and instead search for north facing climbs where the cold temperatures will keep things solid.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower half of the snowpack is weak due to the presence of basal facets and depth hoar. Natural and human triggering is unlikely as the weak layer is dormant, but it is still a good practice to avoid steep, open, rocky slopes with shallow snow.

Ski crampons make travel easier and safer on frozen surface conditionsTravel conditions are difficult at lower elevations and in the trees.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2015 4:00PM