Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2014 5:53PM

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

ian jackson, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Make sure you know the definition of Moderate danger (click on the plus symbol to the right of the danger rating). Avalanche activity has subsided, but if you manage to trigger one from a thin spot, it will be very large.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tues: cold and clear with clouds moving in in the afternoon and freezing levels rising to around 1800m. Snow should start late Tues night and we may see 20-30cm by Wed night. Winds will be light to moderate from the SW throughout, switching to S with the storm on Tues night. Thurs: light snow and gradual clearing as the system passes

Snowpack Summary

30-60cm of storm snow with little wind effect is bonding well. A surface sun crust was formed today on solar aspects. E of the divide, the Mar 13 sun-crust/facet layer is down 30-60 cm on S aspects, and the Feb 10 crust/facet layer is down 60-100cm and still whumphing in thin areas. W of the divide, the Feb 10 is deeper (80-150cm) and less reactive

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today in the forecast region. However, a few large skiier triggered avalanches in the Columbias and K-Country over the last couple days have been surprising professionals and indicate that the weak layers still exist and can be triggered by humans in specific areas.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The Feb 10 layer is touchier in the eastern portion of the forecast area, less in the west. In addition to Feb 10, the Mar 13 layer (suncrust on south aspects) can be found down 30-60cm. Snowpack tests on this layer have produced moderate results

Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Wet

The late March sun is packing a lot of punch. If the sky doesn't cloud over tmrw, we may see some natural activity out of steep rocky solar terrain.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Avoid ice climbs that are exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2014 4:00PM