Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 22nd, 2014 4:00PM

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

stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Great ski quality in most areas, but these are not typical March conditions. The persistent nature of the Feb.10th layer does not instill confidence in bigger terrain. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mainly cloudy and cool conditions over the next few days with only trace amounts of snow and light gusting moderate NW alpine winds.

Snowpack Summary

30-50cm of recent storm snow is bonding well to old surfaces. In the Lake Louise region, the Mar 2nd suncrust/facet layer can be found down 40-60 cm on S aspects, and the Feb 10 crust/facet layer is down 80-100cm on all aspects. Both are producing moderate to hard sudden failures with the potential to propagate. Fewer results on North aspects.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed today. There was one size 2.5 explosive controlled avalanche in the Lake Louise area yesterday which slid to ground on a N aspect in previously controlled terrain .

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

We are finding moderate to hard sudden collapse results on the Feb.10 interface. Thin and variable snowpack areas will be the easiest places to trigger this interface.

Avoid areas with overhead hazard.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A 5cm thick suncrust with facets on top exists on solar aspects with moderate, sudden shears down 40-60cm. An avalanche triggered on this layer could step down to the Feb.10 interface causing a larger avalanche.

Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2014 4:00PM