Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2013 4:00PM

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

Snow Safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Solar slopes will have the hazard rise to considerable or high in the afternoons. Less of a freeze expected at lower elevations on Friday. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels to 2000m+ Friday under high pressure with no snow, light NW winds, and high solar effect.Â Little change for the weekend except slightly lower freezing levels.

Snowpack Summary

W of divide. S through W slopes developing variable melt freeze crusts, thickest on steep W aspects.Â Powder snow on N aspects. Generally well settled snowpack.E of divide settled wind slabs over basal facets. Supportive travel with variable sun crust up to 2700m.

Avalanche Summary

Steep solar point releases this afternoon reported only to size 1.Â Alpine temperatures still fairly cool, keeping most solar activity to treeline and below. Limited field observations today.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Friday

Problems

Loose Wet

Occurring in the afternoons, activity has been mainly isolated to very steep slopes at treeline and below. Higher freezing levels Friday may bring more activity in the alpine.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Avoid ice climbs that are exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

In shallow snowpack areas, particularly east of the divide, whumphing has subsided. However, recent avalanche activity from cornice falls and warm temperatures shows it is still a layer to be respected.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Cornices

Cornice failures have increased in number as the freezing levels rise. They may trigger an avalanche, or be an avalanche themselves in couloirs.

Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2013 4:00PM