Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Dry.

lisa paulson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Another beautiful day forecasted for Wednesday! Watch for an increase in loose dry avalanche activity on solar aspects with daytime warming.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Another beautiful day for Wednesday with clear skies and day time highs of -5.Â Cloud will roll in Wednesday evening and very light flurries are forecasted for Thursday and Friday.Â We may see 5-10 cm by Friday evening in some locations.

Snowpack Summary

Prolonged cold temperatures have weakened the upper snowpack. Wind effect is common in the alpine and several recent crusts can be found on steep solar slopes. Despite the weakening slab above it, Jan 17 surface hoar lingers down 40-60 cm in isolated locations and produces hard, resistent shears. A weak basal snowpack exists in thin snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

The loose dry problem remains the main concern. We continue to see natural and human triggered avalanches out of most steep terrain. These avalanches are running far and entraining a substantial amount of snow.Â For example, Mt St. Piran had a size 2 loose dry avalanche which initiated in the rocks and ran 500 m, SE aspect, 2550 m on Monday.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Loose Dry

Cold weather has created weak, faceted surface snow. In steep terrain, these facets are easily triggered and can gain enough mass to affect skiers and climbers. Solar triggering of this problem will be come more of a concern over the next few days.

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2019 4:00PM