Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 26th, 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.

grant statham, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The cooling trend has locked down the snowpack, and a few cm of snow have improved the conditions on the surface. Below treeline conditions are still frozen up to 1800 meters. Despite the LOW rating, heads up on sun exposed slopes in the afternoon.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Friday looks to be a repeat of today's weather, with a mix of sun and cloud and temperatures staying cool (-5 to -15 range). No precipitation is expected, along with light winds. Looks like clear skies and a nice day coming for Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of loose snow sits on the surface from the last few days in the Bow Summit area, but light winds and a cooling trend has minimized any surface instabilities. The base of the snowpack is weak facets with a 40-60cm stiff snow over top. Triggering is unlikely except in open, shallow snowpack areas and steep south facing slopes in the afternoon

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported today from observations on the Banff/Jasper highway, Stanley Valley, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise areas.

Confidence

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.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 27th, 2015 4:00PM