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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 21st, 2021–Mar 22nd, 2021

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The recent snow has been slowly adding up at higher elevations resulting in an increased hazard rating in the alpine. The main areas of concern are steep lee areas and gullies or couloirs where a small slide could have larger consequences.

Weather Forecast

2-10 cm of new snow is expected Monday with an upslope system producing more snow in eastern areas. Skies will be cloudy and winds will taper off to light out of the North by mid morning. Freezing levels will stay near valley bottom with minimal daytime heating.

Snowpack Summary

10-25 cm of snow has fallen at treeline and alpine elevations in the past three days accompanied by moderate to strong SW/W winds. The new snow sits over various sun crusts on steep solar aspects at all elevations, and over a temperature crust on all aspects below 1800 m. Minimal new snow at valley bottom with thin areas becoming isothermal.

Avalanche Summary

Some small stubborn wind slabs were reported in immediate lee areas of the alpine by local ski hills on Sunday. A few public reports on Saturday of small natural and skier triggered wind slabs or loose dry avalanches in steep confined alpine gullies.

Confidence

Wind speed and direction is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.