Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 14th, 2012 4:30PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Light to moderate snow fall amounts along with strong alpine winds are forecasted for Thursday. Friday will see a cooling trend and light flurries.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Valentine surface hoar is now down 70-120 cm. Natural activity with this layer is subsiding, however, it is still prime for human triggering. This layer is producing moderate shears in test pits.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Up to 30 cm recent storm snow coupled with strong westerly winds have created soft and hard slabs in the alpine. These slabs are reactive to skier triggering and may step down to the deeper surface hoar layer resulting in a very large avalanche.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 15th, 2012 5:00PM