Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2015 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.

ian jackson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Recent snow and light winds have refreshed the ski quality. Get up early and take advantage of the good freezes over the next two days!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tuesday and Wednesday should be fairly clear with good overnight freezes and light W winds. We may see a small, weak system move in on Wednesday PM that will bring light precipitation, light winds and warmer temperatures as we move into the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Convective cells have dropped 10-20 cm's with light winds over the last few days. Wind slabs exist in isolated lee and open areas in the alpine and sit on a variety of hard surfaces. The base of the snowpack is made up of facets and depth hoar and remains weak. Below tree line, snow is isothermal in the afternoons.

Avalanche Summary

Local ski hills reported a few small explosive controlled windslabs in steep unsupported terrain.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Wind Slabs

10 cm of recent storm snow has formed wind slabs up to 35cm in the lee areas at treeline and above. These will be sensitive to human triggering on features such as ridge crests and cross loaded gullies.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

The sun is packing a punch these days. Watch out for loose wet sluffs in steep solar terrain if the sun is out.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower half of the snowpack is weak due to the presence of basal facets and depth hoar. This layer has been dormant lately but may become more sensitive with the recent new snow load, especially in thin areas.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2015 4:00PM