Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 23rd, 2015 4:00PM

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

ian jackson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Enjoy the nice spring weather and good ski conditions at higher elevations, but remain diligent in your terrain selection and stay out of steep, rocky terrain where you might tickle the basal facets!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Spring-like weather for the next few days with daytime highs nearing zero at valley bottom and lows dropping down to -10/ -15. Clear skies, and light winds in general, although Tuesday may see Moderate alpine winds from the NW. No new snow in the foreseeable future!

Snowpack Summary

A well settled upper snowpack with highly variable depths sits over the ever present weak facets and depth hoar in the bottom half of the snowpack. Colder temperatures have helped the slab bridge over the weaker base. Expect to find wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1-2 loose wet avalanches observed out of steep solar aspects today. A larger size 2.5 slab on a south aspect of Mt. Redoubt occurred on Monday afternoon during the heat of the day.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower half of the snowpack is weak due to the presence of basal depth hoar and facet layers. Natural activity has ceased but skier triggering is still possible, especially in shallow areas and places where the snowpack is unevenly distributed.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

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