Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2013 4:00PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

A few more days of conservative terrain choices would be a good idea. This will allow the recent storm snow to bond to the older surfaces.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A rather benign weather pattern for the next few days will bring light winds to the alpine, no precipitation, and moderate diurnal fluctuations in temperatures (alpine highs of -10*, lows of -15*)

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60 cm of storm snow since Friday has settled to 30-40 cm. Cool temperatures have tightened the upper pack and promoted bonding within the storm snow and on the storm snow interface, however we still expect to see storm slabs that are reactive to skier triggering in steeper alpine terrain.

Avalanche Summary

Evidence of a wide-spread natural cycle up to size 3 (at treeline and above elevations) in the storm snow from previous 72 hours. Several avalanches (up to size 2.5)Â observed from past 36 hours along Highway 93 North and South (all in the alpine)

Confidence

Problems

Storm Slabs

60 cm of recent storm snow has created unstable storm snow conditions. The natural cycle is over and cooler temperatures have tightened up the upper pack, however we still expect to see touchy storm slab conditions over the next few days.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2013 4:00PM