Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 23 – 24, 2015Parks Canada

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Avalanche danger

Wed

Thu

Alpine

2 · Moderate

Treeline

1 · Low

Below

1 · Low

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Highlights

Recent snow and light winds have refreshed the ski quality. Get up early and take advantage of the good freezes over the next two days!

Avalanche problems

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
1–2
10 cm of recent storm snow has formed wind slabs up to 35cm in the lee areas at treeline and above. These will be sensitive to human triggering on features such as ridge crests and cross loaded gullies.
Loose Wet
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely
Size
1–2
The sun is packing a punch these days. Watch out for loose wet sluffs in steep solar terrain if the sun is out.
Deep Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely
Size
2–3
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 become more sensitive with the recent new snow load, especially in thin areas.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday and Wednesday should be fairly clear with good overnight freezes and light W winds. We may see a small, weak system move in on Wednesday PM that will bring light precipitation, light winds and warmer temperatures as we move into the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Convective cells have dropped 10-20 cm's with light winds over the last few days. Wind slabs exist in isolated lee and open areas in the alpine and sit on a variety of hard surfaces. The base of the snowpack is made up of facets and depth hoar and remains weak. Below tree line, snow is isothermal in the afternoons.

Avalanche Summary

Local ski hills reported a few small explosive controlled windslabs in steep unsupported terrain.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered

Banff Yoho Kootenay