Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 27 – 28, 2018Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

Touchy windslabs and winloaded open areas are best avoided for a few days. Even open areas below treeline are being affected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2.5
    Wind slabs and wind effect will continue to be a problem.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5
    As the new snow increases the load over the March 15 crust on solar aspects we may start to see avalanche activity on this layer. If the facets below the crust also fail, larger propagations will be possible.

Weather Forecast

Temperatures will remain below freezing with moderate to strong west winds and light snow. More precipitation is expected Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong SW winds are creating wind slabs in alpine and treeline areas and beginning to overload cornices. 10-20 cm of recent snow sits over a melt freeze crust on solar aspects with some facets at the crust interface. In shallow snowpack areas the basal facets remain quite weak and may be susceptible to triggering with large loads.

Avalanche Summary

A skier accidental in the Sheol Valley indicates the need for continued vigilance. Poor visibility limited observations today.

Confidence

Regions covered