Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 2nd, 2019 4:00PM

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

stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The cold has taken its toll on the snowpack, with facets galore. Watch for small wind slabs in steep alpine features, and loose dry sluffs in the facetted snow. These will be small but can run far and fast.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Another savagely cold morning for Sunday with lows between -30 and -35C, light NE winds and no snow.Â A very slow gradual warmup will occur over the week with no real snow in the forecast.Â The plus side is if you can bear the cold start, the sun is getting stronger which will make things bearable.Â

Snowpack Summary

Cold temperatures continue to weaken the surface snow. Wind effect is common in the alpine and several recent crusts can be found on steep solar slopes. Despite the weakening slab above it, Jan 17 surface hoar lingers down 40-60 cm in isolated locations and produces hard, resistent shears. A weak basal snowpack exists in thin snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

Some reports of fresh wind slabs triggered by explosives and skiers, and loose snow avalanches or 'point release sluffs' . Given the right terrain these sluffs can amount to significant avalanches: they start slow but gain mass quickly and would be very 'real' for those caught in a terrain trap such as above a cliff or in a gully

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

A sustained period of cold weather has created weak, dry, faceted surface snow. In steep terrain, these facets are easily triggered and can quickly gain enough mass to affect skiers and climbers, especially in gullies.

Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

A mix of fresh and old wind slabs have been stubborn but active, and are likely only to be found in very steep or extreme terrain near wind exposed ridge crests. Pay close attention to the feeling of the surface snow under your feet.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2019 4:00PM