Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs, Loose Wet and Cornices.

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Be wary of daytime heating. Get an early start; avoid gullied terrain; watch for thin spots; and be done early. Having said all this, there is some good skiing on sheltered North and east slopes to be had in the morning.

Summary

Weather Forecast

It is a good time to start waking up early again. Daytime heat and intense solar activity are expected to produce natural avalanches for the next few days.

Snowpack Summary

Our greatest concern is in weak shallow snowpack areas, facets in the lower snowpack overlain by a stiff slab produce easy, sudden collapses in tests. Sudden daytime heating over the next few days may trigger cornices or re-animate older snowpack weaknesses.

Avalanche Summary

Some small wet avalanches were noted from steep alpine terrain.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep facet layers remain very weak, especially in thin or rocky areas. Avoid large open slopes, steep slopes (>30 degrees) and be wary that you can trigger this problem from a long distance away - the slab is stiff and it propagates far.

Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

Daytime heating is expected to be intense for the next few days. Get an early start and be done your day early.

Minimize exposure when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

Cornices are large. Give them a wide berth on ridge crests, as they can pull back a long way when they fail and may trigger avalanches below. If you need to travel under cornices, move quickly and think twice if there is significant heating.

Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2016 4:00PM