Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2014 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The likelihood of triggering the Feb 10th interface is going down but the consequences remain serious. Continue to tread cautiously in steep terrain. Very cold temperatures are forecast for the weekend so dress warmly and be prepared for any delays.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Very cold temperatures down to -30'C overnight with daytime highs of -22'C and light to moderate N winds are forecast for tomorrow. Slightly warmer temperatures are forecast for Sunday with highs of -12'C. Monday we may see some light snow and warming temperatures if the Pacific systems manage to push the arctic air aside.

Snowpack Summary

Sun crust on solar aspects with some wind affect in the alpine. 25-40cm of settled storm snow now sits on top of the Feb10th layer which is comprised of facets, surface hoar, and on solar aspects a sun crust. Recent tests range from easy to hard with a sudden collapse at this interface. Slopes with a buried sun crust appear to be the most touchy.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported or observed today. Some solar triggered slides up to size 2 occurred in the last several days along with some explosive triggered avalanches up to size 1.5. Whumphing still occuring in lower angled terrain in Kootenay and near Lake Louise over the last few days.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Feb 10th layer continues to produce sudden collapse test results in many areas. The cold temperatures will tighten things up a little and begin to weaken the slab over this layer but it is still a concern in many of the areas in the park.

Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.Use careful route-finding and stick to moderate slope angles with low consequences

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2014 4:00PM