Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2018 4:00PM

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

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Be watchful for windslabs at high elevations due to light wind transport and warmer temps on Thursday.

Summary

Weather Forecast

It is expected to warm up to near zero in the valley tomorrow by midday tomorrow. Ridge elevation should remain in the -10 range. Wind will be from the due South with light to moderate velocity. Very light precip with minimal accumulations on Thursday, and up to 5 cm on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

5 cm of loose snow on the surface at treeline with wind slabs forming in open areas at higher elevations. Three mid-pack weak layers of surface hoar and/or facets appear well bonded, but are worth keeping in mind on bigger slopes. Snowpack tests are showing no results on those layers.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs exist in lee areas in the alpine. While they may not be very thick or particularly touchy, they certainly have the potential to carry you into an undesirable location (cliffs/terrain traps) if triggered in steep terrain.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

We continue to track three mid-snowpack weak layers from earlier this winter. They are bonding well and test results no longer show failures here. This problem continues to be in the back of our minds, but our confidence in the snowpack has improved.

Ride large slopes one at a time and spot your partners from safe locations.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2018 4:00PM