Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2016 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Weaker midpack layers and the potential for sudden dramatic warming Sunday indicate the need to have options if the sun pops out where you are. In general it is getting better but avoid center punching the steep open slopes for a while still.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Rising freezing levels (up to 2000m) with moderate West winds and small amounts of precipitation are forecast for Sunday. Watch for sunny periods that will greatly increase warming.

Snowpack Summary

Valley bottoms have begun to melt out. Warm days and cool nights are bringing us to the edge of spring conditions below treeline. At treeline and above there are suncrusts, windslabs near ridgecrests, and rotten weak pockets in shallower areas. In most areas it is still possible to find a layer of rotten facets in the midpack underlying a slab.

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility limited observations, but no new avalanches were seen today.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The mid-pack facets remain weak, especially in thin or rocky areas. Avoid steep or unsupported terrain, and watch for signs of instability such as whumphing and cracking. This weakness is slowly healing but will be present for some time.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

SW winds have created small wind slabs in leeward ares near ridge crests. Use common sense to avoid these places, and pay attention to the snow surface conditions while touring - you can usually detect wind slabs easily.

If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Warm temperatures over the weekend combined with moderate west winds and some light precipitation could result in increased cornice failures. Minimize your exposure to cornices and the slopes below them as the day heats up.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2016 4:00PM