Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 18th, 2012 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

It is getting harder to trigger an avalanche on the Valentines surface hoar, but the consequence of triggering one is huge. Areas West of the Divide have more bridging strength overall. Watch for triggering from thinner areas.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Sunday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs up to 50cm thick can be still triggered in steeper terrain, especially around ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Down 70-120cm, the Valentines surface hoar is producing harder shears, and Field teams in Yoho, the Wapta, and Kootenay today had similar results. A size 3 triggered by seracs in the bow hut area remote triggered moraines on this layer yesterday.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Wet

Numerous steep solar slopes were reported to slide today up to size 2.5 in the Emerald Lake area. Tomorrow we may see the same occurring. Failing cornices in the sun may provide a large trigger.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 19th, 2012 4:00PM