Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2015 4:00PM

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

brian webster, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Spring like conditions exist. Pay attention to how warm it is getting and how strong the overnight recovery is. Valley bottoms may become isothermal. Start and end your tours early.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will be mainly cloudy with some isolated flurries at upper elevations. Freezing levels will rise to 2100 m. Continued warm temperatures with little precipitation through the end of the week.

Snowpack Summary

Generally well settled mid pack with with weaker facets and depth hoar in basal pack. Moist snow on solar aspects below 2000 m. Very isolated wind slabs may be found near ridge tops in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

One skier triggered wind slab (size 1.5) on a south slope at 3000 m reported from the Wapta on Tuesday. Several loose wet avalanches up to Class 1.5 on solar aspects.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

The warm temperatures will create wet sluffs and rockfall on south facing slopes and gullies at and below treeline. Ice climbers should avoid this terrain, and instead search for north facing climbs where the cold temperatures will keep things solid.

Plan to be off big slopes before the temperatures rises and the snowpack deteriorates.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower half of the snowpack is weak due to the presence of basal facets and depth hoar. This layer has been dormant lately but may waken up with the warm temperatures. Avoid steep, open, rocky slopes with a shallow snowpack.

Travel conditions are difficult at lower elevations and in the trees.Ski crampons make travel easier and safer on frozen surface conditions

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2015 4:00PM