Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2012 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

A nice weekend forecast with sun, rising freezing levels, and light winds. Expect steep solar aspects to "wake up" Sat. afternoon and Sunday to increase the overall hazard rating. Good skiing on shaded slopes. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

on Saturday

Problems

Loose Wet

Freezing levels to 2000m Sat. and even higher on Sunday will trigger a cycle on solar aspects. This could be the trigger that tickles the deeper layers, and it is a good idea to limit exposure to those aspects in the afternoon.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The Valentines surface hoar is 70-150cm deep. It is far less active in deep snowpack areas, but is possible to trigger from shallow areas mainly E of the divide. This has been the case in numerous incidents this past week.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Thin snowpack areas are most susceptible to triggering the basal depth hoar. As well, any avalanche initiated on the Valentines surface hoar layer could step down to the basal weakness. Thin has not been a major issue in thick snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2012 4:00PM