Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 14 – 15, 2012Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 15 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map

Highlights

There are widely conflicting weather forecasts, but some models are predicting up to 30 mm of precipitation by Friday. If the storm materializes the avalanche hazard will remain elevated through the end of the week.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Ten to 20 cm of fresh snow today coupled with strong westerly winds have created fresh wind slabs in the alpine. These winds slabs are reactive to skier triggering and may step down to the deeper surface hoar layer resulting in a very large avalanche

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–4
    The Valentine surface hoar is now down 70-100 cm. Natural activity with this layer is subsiding, however, it is still prime for human triggering. This layer is producing moderate shears in test pits.

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered