Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 6th, 2018 4:00PM

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

stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Good skiing and travel conditions continue, though the sun is beginning to pack a punch on S aspects. Recent wind effect is keeping the danger at Moderate in the alpine.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light to moderate W winds for Wednesday and little to no new snow.Â Temperatures will stay below freezing but just barely and alpine temperatures will be in the -10 to -12C range.Â Thursday and Friday look even warmer, especially on the front ranges.Â

Snowpack Summary

Variable amounts of storm snow (10-25 cm) now sit on top of a supportive mid-pack with variable wind effect in the alpine. The higher amounts of storm snow are in the southern region. Sun crust forming on some steep solar aspects. The deeper facet layers down 80-150 cm remain weak but are presently difficult to propagate.

Avalanche Summary

Sluffing and thin wind slabs up to size 1.5 were observed in steep alpine terrain in the last 2 days, including some solar triggered sluffs out of rocky areas. No other avalanches reported or observed.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Increasing alpine West winds have formed wind slabs in lee areas near ridge crests. In steep unsupported terrain skier triggering is possible.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Loose Dry

This problem is mainly for the Kootenay region that received more storm snow this pasty weekend. It will be particularly prevalent in steep confined gullies, and/or where the old snow below the storm snow is weak and facetted.

The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 7th, 2018 4:00PM