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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 27th, 2021–Mar 28th, 2021

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The avalanche hazard will increase through the day Sunday with incoming snow, strong winds and high freezing levels.

Weather Forecast

A low pressure system will build over the forecast region Sunday. This weather system will bring precipitation in the form of rain at lower elevations and snow above 2000m with up to 30cm of accumulation. This new snow will come with strong to extreme winds at mountain top. As this system dissipates Monday, temperatures will cool.

Snowpack Summary

15-40cm of snow has fallen within the last week. This snow sits over a sun crust on solar aspects, facets on North aspects and a temperature crust at lower elevations. Incoming snow ,wind and warm temps will add load to the current snowpack and widespread wind effect at upper elevations. Rain saturated snow is expected at lower elevations.

Avalanche Summary

Reports of several natural and skier triggered wind slabs in the alpine to size 1.5 on Saturday.  We expect avalanche activity to increase at all elevations as a storm develops Sunday.

Confidence

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.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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 Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.