Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2014 4:00PM

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

aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Things are improving. The snowpack in the Western portion of the forecast region is more supportive and cohesive, as compared with the East. A storm on Tues night will elevate the hazard.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Up to 20cm of storm snow is expected on Tuesday night with poor confidence. However, if accurate, 20cm of storm snow will move the danger rating to high. Temps will hover around the -5 mark in the alpine until Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

30-50cm of recent storm snow is bonding well to old surfaces. In the Lake Louise region, the Mar 13 sun-crust/facet layer can be found down 40-60 cm on S aspects, and the Feb 10 crust/facet layer is down 80-100cm on all aspects. The Feb 10 layer produced no results in Yoho today. Fewer results on North aspects.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Feb 10 layer will be touchier in the Eastern portion of the forecast area, less in the West. In addition to Feb 10, the Mar 13 layer, a suncrust on South aspects, can be found down 40-60cm. Snowpack tests on this layer produced moderate results.

Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Avoid areas with overhead hazard.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2014 4:00PM