Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2015 4:00PM

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

ian jackson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

It is a great time to be in the alpine! Enjoy the good weather and low danger while it lasts. If you are getting into more aggressive terrain, be mindful of the potential for cornice failures and snow mushroom collapses as the temps fluctuate.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The drought continues. No precipitation expected in the forecast period. Temperatures are generally cold overnight (-20 to -25) and warming up to reasonable during the day (-5 to -10). We should see a gradual warming trend through the week. Winds have been light and are expected to stay light until Thurs when they will switch to moderate from the W

Snowpack Summary

Surface facetting has softened up old surfaces in the alpine making for good skiing in sheltered locations. Isolated windslabs exist in the alpine but are unreactive. The midpack is well settled, but the weak facets persist at the base of the snowpack. Suncrusts exist on solar aspects and temperature crusts exist on all aspects below 1900m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed today.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower half of the snowpack is weak due to the presence of basal facets and depth hoar. Natural and human triggering is unlikely, but it is still a good idea to avoid steep, open, rocky slopes with shallow snow.

Ski crampons make travel easier and safer on frozen surface conditionsTravel conditions are difficult at lower elevations and in the trees.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

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