Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2012 4:06PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Expect rain tonight to 1250 m, 10-20 cm up high with the greater amounts West of the divide. With continued Strong SW wind tonight and tomorrow, slopes that have not yet run may be triggered by these additional inputs. Avoid avalanche terrain.LP

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Valentine surface hoar down up to 90 cm is overlain by a stiff slab and remains very sensitive to triggers. Skier remote size 2 on Narao ridge, near Louise, yesterday afternoon. This layer is still very touchy, stick to lower angle terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Recent strong NW wind and strong SW wind over the last 24 hrs have developed slabs on all aspects. These are reported to be a more stubborn to trigger at Sunshine and Lake Louise. Tonight's snow may make them more sensitive or create new thin slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The deep facets in the Rockies snowpack are awake again. These have mainly been observed on bigger features where the weight of the initial avalanche triggers the basal depth hoar, causing very large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2012 4:00PM