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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 11th, 2024–Mar 12th, 2024

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

The natural avalanche cycle is mostly over, however human triggered avalanches remain likely in the alpine and open slopes at treeline. This is evident by the many close calls with skier triggered avalanches in the past week. Conservative decision making and terrain choices are essential.

Confidence

No Rating

Avalanche Summary

Many natural and skier triggered avalanches have occurred since Friday:

Friday: A skier accidental avalanche occurred in Wizard Chutes near Sunshine. Natural avalanches reported from Pulpit area

Saturday: Several naturals were reported from Crowfoot Glades area.

Monday: A natural avalanche (small windslab or loose dry) overran and injured a skier on one of the east facing couloirs on Bow Peak. The skier was injured but not buried.

Snowpack Summary

15-20 cm of storm snow overlays previous wind slabs (alpine and treeline), temp crusts at lower elevations, and sun crusts on steep solar aspect.

40-80 cm of settled snow overlies weak facets above the Feb 3 crust interface which exists up to 2500 m, (higher on solar aspects). Many recent avalanches have been running on this layer.

The base of the snowpack consists of weak facets. Deeper snowpack areas (west of the divide) are more settled and stronger.

Weather Summary

Tuesday will be mainly cloudy with some scattered flurries, but minimal accumulation. Ridgetop winds are forecast to be 20-30 k/h and freezing levels will rise to 1900m during the day. Wednesday will be very similar.

For more detailed weather information, click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection and resist venturing out into complex terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Problems

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.