Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2012 4:00PM

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

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Avalanche control planned for Mts. Dennis, Hector, and Borgeau on Sunday. No climbing or skiing on these peaks. Avoid exposure to steep solar aspects tomorrow. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

on Sunday

Problems

Loose Wet

Freezing levels from 2300-2500m Sunday may initiate natural avalanche activity on solar aspects in the afternoon. Isolated activity on these aspects started late Sat. afternoon to size 2 in the Banff region.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The Valentines surface hoar is 70-150cm down. Field tests on Hwy 93N found hard results on this layer at treeline, where it was buried 1 meter deep. Triggering will be most likely from thinner snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Although difficult to initiate, we have seen some activity on the basal depth hoar over the last few days. These were initiated from thin snowpack areas, or "step down" avalanches. A recent sz. 3.5 natural on Mt. Lefroy stepped down to this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2012 4:00PM