Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 25th, 2012 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

We are entering a tricky time. Evaluation of where the Valentines surface hoar exists, how much snow overlies this weak layer, and what terrain you are in will be important to avoiding an incident. Clearing skies over the weekend with light winds. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Saturday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

At treeline 35-50 cm of settled storm snow sits overtop of the Valentines surface hoar, up to 90 cm in the sunshine region on lee alpine features. This problem will be slow to stabilize, and will exist for some time.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Moderate winds in the past few days have also created thin, but stiffer wind slab conditions 25-35 cm deep on ridgetop lee terrain. If there is no surface hoar present, these will settle out in the next few days.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 26th, 2012 4:00PM