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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 12th, 2021–Mar 13th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Our danger ratings are for the highest level we expect to see over the course of the day. The heat and solar inputs will be the main factors for the increase in avalanche danger. Start early and end early, to take advantage of the overnight recovery.

Weather Forecast

Warm temperatures and clear skies will continue through the weekend. Daytime highs at valley bottom will climb to +13 with freezing levels as high as 2500m. 3000m winds will gradually increase through the weekend with values in the moderate to strong range by Sunday. Solar inputs will pack a punch on steep southerly aspects by mid day.

Snowpack Summary

10-20cm recent snow remains preserved on Northerly aspects and low angle terrain, on steep solar aspects a surface crust has formed. Some recent wind effect at higher elevations that seems limited to ridge crests. Recent profiles show the Feb. 19 and Jan. 27 facets in the upper meter with hard to no results. Cornices are huge.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported today with good visibility. Earlier this week several large persistent slabs were reported in high north aspects and we assume these were triggered by large cornice falls. We expect an increase in avalanche activity as day time heat and strong solar inputs effect the snowpack.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.