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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 27th, 2015–Mar 28th, 2015
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
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 Yoho Kootenay.

The freezing levels should lower tonight and form crusts.  Pay attention to the strength of these crusts at tree line and below this weekend as the wet snow beneath has no strength.  Cornices are weak and fragile on north aspects so keep an eye out.

Weather Forecast

The winds will abate as a cold front passes tonight ushering in cooler air and lower freezing levels along with some light precipitation amounts for Saturday morning.  Strong westerly winds at ridgetop will continue mid Saturday through the weekend with scattered precipitation.

Snowpack Summary

Sustained moderate to strong winds aloft continued to build wind slabs and cornices at ridge top today. Moist snow to 2400 meters on polar aspects (North) and moist to ridge top on the solar slopes. Mid pack is well settled and overlies a largely weak basal depth hoar or facets.

Avalanche Summary

Several natural avalanches occurred today up to size 2.5 around the Sunshine Ski Area back country. Many loose wet avalanches with some of them triggering slab avalanches in the lower track below tree line. Suspect with today's warm temps that cornices will be very touchy.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

There is generally 10-20 cm available for transport and moderate to strong SW wind continues to build windslabs. They are sensitive to human triggering on features such as ridge crests, cross loaded gullies, and steep lee terrain features.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

Rising freezing levels on Friday has the potential to create a loose wet avalanche problem on solar aspects

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

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 become more sensitive with the rising temperatures.
Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2 - 3