Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 6th, 2012 4:00PM

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

Aaron Beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Today, large destructive avalanches were exceeding historical runouts. The Feb 14 layer is extremely touchy and in some cases avalanches are stepping down to the basal facets at ground level. Travel in the mountains requires EXTREME caution.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations on Tuesday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent slabs between 90 and 150cm deep are very touchy and skier/riders/climbers will almost certainly trigger these slides in terrain that has not previously avalanched.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

Persistent slabs and wind slabs, once triggered, are stepping down producing large and destructive avalanches. This layer has been dormant for much of the winter, but it is awake and quite grumpy now.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Mar 7th, 2012 4:00PM