Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2013 4:01PM

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

Snow Safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

As the temperatures warm, the snowpack should gradually become more stable except on sun exposed slopes. It may still be too early to commit to the large consequence lines.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Another fine cool day with the chance of some high cloud in the afternoon as a weak fontal system rides over the ridge.

Snowpack Summary

Some wind slab and cornice issues in the westerly areas. Deep slab persistent weak layer concerns in the eastern shallow snowpack areas. In areas of 170cm or deeper snowpack the snow seems mainly stable, with a few isolated exceptions at and above treeline on lee slopes. East of the divide where the snowpack was less than 150cm, beware.

Avalanche Summary

Several cornice falls over the past few days have triggered storm slabs up to size three. Remote triggered deep slabs have been reported in eastern areas.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Watch out for thin areas especially East of the divide where it is possible to trigger or remote trigger deep slabs on basal facets or crusts.? Be conservative with terrain choices in bigger terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

New windslabs have formed on lee aspects, much thicker West of the divide where more new snow has fallen.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Cornices

There have been a number of cornice falls observed over the last week, some triggering deep storm slabs beneath. Be aware of what is above you.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2013 4:00PM