Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 22nd, 2018 4:24PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Spring time conditions exist. Good skiing can still be found on north and east aspects.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Friday will bring unsettled conditions with scattered flurries (up to 10 cm at treeline along the divide) and freezing levels around 1500 m. The weekend will bring mixed sun and cloud and cooler temperatures (freezing levels around 1100 m).

Snowpack Summary

Variable surface conditions with dry snow present on polar aspects above 1600 m and temp crusts to ridgetops on solar aspects. Small wind slabs found in the high alpine. Concern still exists for last weeks storm snow where it sits on a buried suncrust (down 20-30 cm) on south and west aspects. Shallow snowpack areas are also still a concern.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported in last 24 hours.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs and wind effect can be found in the alpine. Wind slabs are unlikely to release naturally but can be triggered by skiers and climbers.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Concern still exists for last weeks storm snow (20-30 cm) where it overlies a crust on solar aspects. Some recent avalanches have been observed on this interface.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2018 4:00PM