Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Feb 23 – 24, 2015Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Forecasters experienced a large whumph above Pika Flats in the Lake Louise back-country today. This emphasizes that there is still potential for human triggering, especially in shallow areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Be cautious near ridge-crests and in lee areas. These seem to be isolated to the Icefields Parkway region.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    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.

Weather Forecast

Light wind, clear skies and little to no precipitation are expected over the next couple of days. The main concern will be solar radiation on south aspects. Although the solar effect may not change the danger rating, it could induce moist avalanches on a local level.

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

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Regions covered