Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 13th, 2018 4:00PM

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

ian jackson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Great spring like conditions exist right now with powder on polar aspects and crust on solar. The danger is Low/Low/Low in the morning and deteriorating with daytime warming. Get up early and enjoy the great conditions!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will start with a cold morning (overnight low of -10) but will warm up to reach +5 to +10 again in the afternoon with light south winds. Thursday and Friday look to be overcast with light snow (5 cm) and freezing levels staying below 2000m. Winds will remain generally light.

Snowpack Summary

North aspect snow is soft, cold and well settled with few weak layers of concern. South and west aspects now have a suncrust on the surface that becomes moist by 11am. Currently we are moving from Low danger in the morning to Considerable danger in the afternoon on solar aspects - so get an early start.

Avalanche Summary

Wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were running by noon on Tuesday on sun exposed slopes. These were less active on Tuesday than the day before, but will be most active on steep, thin, rocky solar aspects.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Loose Wet

The sun is strong right now and with this clear weather, it is destabilizing the snow on solar aspects in the afternoon. Generally these avalanches are running as loose wet and not stepping down to deeper layers, but the possibility remains.

Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Hot weather means cornice season, and this is the time when large mature cornices begin to fall off and the mountain sheds its snowpack. On ridges stay well away from cornices (they can reach back and get you), and avoid traveling under them.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 14th, 2018 4:00PM