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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 9th, 2024–Mar 10th, 2024

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Conditions remain tricky. The weak layers in the snowpack do not inspire confidence and we continue to see natural, human and explosive-triggered avalanches daily. The only reliable way to avoid triggering an avalanche is to stick with low-consequence terrain and minimize exposure to overhead hazards.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday a skier accidental avalanche occurred in steep treeline terrain. Explosive control on Mt Hector resulted in avalanches up to size 3 failing on both persistent and deep persistent layers. Local ski hills saw a few explosive-triggered avalanches and several natural avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed in the previous 24 hrs.

Saturday a few small wet loose avalanches were observed in steep solar terrain and a few wind-triggered slides were reported in the alpine

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs in lee areas and extensive wind effect in open alpine and treeline areas. Sun crusts have formed on steep solar aspects. 40-80 cm of settled snow overlies weak facets above the Feb 3 interface. The Feb 3 crust exists up to 2500 m and higher on solar aspects. The lower snowpack consists of several facet layers from Jan and Dec. Depth hoar and facets are present at the base of the snowpack and remain weak in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Moderate to strong southwest winds at ridgetop on Sunday will continue to stream bands of snow across the Rockies, especially along the Divide. Clouds and flurries throughout the day with accumulations of 2-10 cm. Freezing levels will rise to near 1600 m in the afternoon before dropping to the valley bottom overnight.

For more detailed weather information, click here.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
  • In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.