Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 20th, 2018 4:51PM

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

Brian Webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Despite the cold temps, be wary of solar aspects in the afternoon. There may be enough power in the sun to trigger some small avalanches out of steep terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

An arctic ridge over the area brings mostly clear, dry and cold conditions through the end of the week. There is a chance of light flurries along the divide but little accumulation is expected. Winds are forecasted to be light. A warming trend arrives towards the the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

The upper pack consists of storm snow from earlier in the month that is starting to settle and bond.Â This overlies the mid-pack where there are three weak layers that are gaining strength but continue to produce moderate, sudden planar test results on surface hoar.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported or observed in the past 48 hours.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

A strong upper snowpack overlies three weak layers in the mid snowpack: Jan 16, Jan 6, and Dec 15. All are a mix of sun crust, surface hoar and facets depending on location, and they continue to produce moderate, sudden planar test results.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 21st, 2018 4:00PM