Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 15th, 2015 4:00PM

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

Patrick Jerome, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Ski quality is improving at Treeline and above but cooler temps and more snow at lower elevations will be needed to heal the damage from the warm weather as of late. Watch out for cornices and for wind slabs in isolated locations at ridge top. PJ

Summary

Weather Forecast

Precipitation associated with a warm front will spread into the southern Rockies today.Â Up-slope style precipitation will continue tonight and through most of Monday before the Front weakens on Monday evening and moves into Alberta.Â

Snowpack Summary

5-15cm's of new snow appears to the bonding well to a variety of old surfaces.Â The snowpack below the elevation of the 1900 meters has absorbed some liquid water from the yesterday's storm and in the lower BTL elevations the snowpack will be rain soaked and isothermal below any crusts that may have developed with the cooler temps last night.

Avalanche Summary

Some small wind slabs reacting to ski cuts and explosives but nothing larger than size 1.5.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Monday

Problems

Wind Slabs

20cm distributed by winds will make wind slabs touchy in the short term.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower half of the snowpack is weak due to the presence of basal facets and depth hoar. This layer has been dormant lately but may waken up with the warm temperatures , rain, or in shallow areas.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 16th, 2015 4:00PM