Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 27 – 28, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

We are entering early spring conditions.  Steep solar slopes will see the hazard rise to Considerable or High in the afternoons.  Start early.  SH

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Cornice failures have increased in number as the freezing levels rise. They may trigger an avalanche, or be an avalanche themselves in couloirs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    In shallow snowpack areas, particularly east of the divide, whumphing has subsided. However, recent avalanche activity from cornice falls and warm temperatures shows it is still a layer to be respected.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Occurring in the afternoons,  activity has been mainly isolated to very steep slopes at treeline and below.  As freezing levels rise over the next few days, we should start to see more natural avalanches occurring in the alpine.

Weather Forecast

Light W to NW winds, no snow, mainly clear skies, and freezing levels to 2000m+ on Thursday, higher on Friday.  This will increase activity on solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Kootenay Park today, S through W slopes developing variable melt freeze crusts, thickest on steep W aspects. 20cm powder snow on N aspects over temperature crust up to 1800m. Well settled snowpack at 2300m. Moist snow on solar aspects by 11AM. E of divide settled wind slabs over basal facets. Supportive travel with variable sun crust up to 2700m.

Avalanche Summary

Afternoon loose wet avalanches on solar slopes in Kootenay within last 24hrs up to size 2.  Most started in steep terrain at treeline and below, with adjacent lower angled slopes not running.  A report of a cornice failure on the N couloir of Bow peak yesterday at 10AM sending one skier tumbling down the gully 200ft in the debris with no injuries.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Thursday

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