Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 13 – 14, 2015Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

New snow and intense wind will form windslabs. The hazard will increase throughout the day Saturday as the load increases.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Snow and high winds Saturday will create poorly bonded windslabs.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Watch for early morning rain and isothermal conditions on low elevation ice climbs.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    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 waken up with the warm temperatures , rain, or in shallow areas.

Weather Forecast

Poor overnight recovery is expected for Saturday morning below treeline. Then, an intense weather system is expected to pulse through, bringing rain to low elevations and 10-15cm of snow to the alpine. Strong winds accompanying this system will create poorly bonded windslabs on lee (North and East) aspects. Sunday will be cooler.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is generally crusty or isothermal in valley bottoms, depending on temperature and exposure to sun. In the alpine windcrusts, windslabs and suncrusts predominate. In high shallow areas, lingering weaknesses are still common.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported today.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Regions covered