Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 13th, 2012 5:02PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

There are widely conflicting weather forecasts, but some models are predicting up to 30 mm of precipitation by Friday. If the storm materializes the avalanche hazard will remain elevated through the end of the week.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Valentine surface hoar is now down 70-100 cm. Natural activity with this layer is subsiding, however, it is still prime for human triggering. This layer is producing moderate shears in test pits.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Wind Slabs

Ten to 20 cm of fresh snow today coupled with strong westerly winds have created fresh wind slabs in the alpine. These winds slabs are reactive to skier triggering and may step down to the deeper surface hoar layer resulting in a very large avalanche

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 14th, 2012 5:00PM