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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 18th, 2022–Mar 19th, 2022
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
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
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

Regions: Little Yoho.

A little windier Friday night and a little warmer on Saturday is keeping the hazard rating steady. Keep monitoring the buried crusts on solar aspects.

Weather Forecast

Continued flurries for Saturday with a few cm's of accumulation and a mix of sun and cloud through the day. Winds will be in the moderate range out of the SW at ridge crests. Temperatures increase slightly with treeline temperatures ranging from -5 to -3 C and freezing levels reaching 1800 m before falling back down on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

20-50 cm of recent snow forming fresh wind slabs in alpine and some treeline terrain with mod-strong SW winds. On solar aspects a variety of buried sun-crusts down 30-60 cm are producing moderate results in tests. In addition there is a buried temperature crust at lower elevations that exists on all aspects, and has been reactive in Kootenay Park.

Avalanche Summary

Explosive control on Whymper and Simpson areas of Kootenay Park on Thursday produced small wind-slabs up to size 2.5. Of note in Simpson area is when debris hit lower elevations (1800-1600 m) it triggered new slabs down 50 cm on a suspected temperature crust. Propagations on this layer were significant and extended up to 100 m.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds have been variable throughout the region, but expect fresh wind slabs in the alpine and some exposed tree-line locations.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs or larger sluffs.
  • Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Buried crust/facet layers exist in the upper snowpack on solar aspects and all aspects below 1700m. Recent tests show moderate sudden planar results. Exercise caution in areas where these crusts exist, there is uncertainty about how they will react.

  • Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3