Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 27th, 2015 4:00PM

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

patrick jerome, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Have fun out there this weekend but watch out for isolated shallow snowpack areas, these areas exist in the terrain and travelers need to keep this in mind. Large triggers such as a cornices still have the potential to trigger deep instabilities. PJ

Summary

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure is building on the coast and will bring cool Northwesterly flow over the weekend.Â A disturbance on Sunday will collide with the ridge and bring light flurries that evening into Monday.Â Cool temperatures will prevail through the period.

Snowpack Summary

A few cm's of cold loose snow sits on the surface.Â The base of the snowpack is weak facets and depth hoar with a 40-60cm slab of stiff snow over top. Triggering would be difficult but is possible in open, shallow snowpack areas such as ridgetop features, cross-wind affected terrain features or moraines.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported today except for one small explosive triggered avalanche at one of the local ski areas to open up their last steep piece of terrain.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower half of the snowpack is weak due to the presence of basal depth hoar and facet layers. Natural and human triggering is unlikely, but possible in steep open slopes with shallow snow, or south and west facing terrain during mid-day.

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 - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 28th, 2015 4:00PM