Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 30th, 2014 4:00PM

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

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Avalanche control is being conducted at Bourgeau, Mt. Field and Mt Bosworth, no climbing or skiing in these locations tomorrow. Also, if the sun comes out, solar exposures stand to get very hot and potentially unstable.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The snow fall is tapering off and winds are becoming light. Also, expect intense solar radiation over the next few days. This will be more prominent on southern exposures.

Snowpack Summary

The storm snow has settled to approx 35cm as of this afternoon and shears are in the moderate range. Intense solar radiation is cooking south aspects and creating crusts. In shallow, weaker snowpack areas, the basal facets and Feb10 layers are still reactive in field tests. In deeper, uniform areas these problems are less of a concern.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Monday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Although this problem still remains, triggering still remains possible. As time goes by it will become less likely that people will be able to trigger this layer.

Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalancheUse conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Some light wind at the ridge tops has produced windslabs. Likelihood of triggering and layer thickness is uncertain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 31st, 2014 4:00PM