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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 18th, 2024–Mar 19th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

Forecasted cooler temperatures and cloud cover will improve conditions (unfortunately not the ski quality).

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Although little activity was observed or reported, today likely marked the tail end of the warm weather. The ski areas reported isothermal snow conditions below treeline. Sunshine patrol reported ski-cutting size 1 loose wet avalanches in the afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

Moist snow up to 2600m on all aspects and higher on solar aspects. Only high north aspects hold dry snow. 40-90 cm of settled snow overlies weaker facets above the Feb 3 interface which is a crust up to at least 2500 m. The base of the snowpack consists of weak facets. Deeper snowpack areas (west of the divide) are more settled and dense.

Weather Summary

The high-pressure system will leave the area tomorrow followed by increasing cloud and cooling temperatures. A few centimeters is expected by the end of the day tomorrow. The wind velocity will be variable between moderate and strong, from the West. More snow is expected in the following days.

For more details on the weather, click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

40-90cm of settled snow overlies weak facets on the Feb 3 interface, which is a crust in most areas. Many natural, human, and explosive-triggered avalanches have occurred on this layer during the recent warm spell.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Many recent avalanches have stepped down to the weak facet and depth hoar layers near the base of the snowpack resulting in large avalanches. This seems to be most common in thin, steep, rocky terrain in the alpine.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5