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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 24th, 2015–Mar 25th, 2015
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Good skiing on North aspects.  10-20 cm blanket the Wapta with little wind effect on regular travel routes.  Winds pick up Thursday and freezing levels rise causing the hazard to rise as we approach the weekend.

Weather Forecast

Expect clear skies and a good freeze tonight.  Very light flurries move in to the region Wednesday and winds will remain generally light from the West with some gusts.  Snow picks up for Thursday, along with the wind, and rising freezing levels to 2600 m by Friday.  By Sunday, accumulations may be up 10 cm.

Snowpack Summary

Convective cells have dropped 10-20 cm's with light winds over the last few days. Wind slabs exist in isolated immediate lee features and open areas in the alpine and sit on a variety of hard surfaces. The base of the snowpack is made up of facets and depth hoar and remains weak. Below tree line, snow is isothermal in the afternoons.

Avalanche Summary

Local ski hills reported a few small explosive controlled windslabs in steep unsupported terrain over the past 2 days. Temperatures remained cool today - no pinwheeling observed and crusts remained intact down to 1900 m.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs up to 35cm can be found in the immediate lee features. Although there has been some improvement, they are sensitive to human triggering on features such as ridge crests, cross loaded gullies, and steep terrain features.
Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower half of the snowpack is weak due to the presence of basal facets and depth hoar. This layer has been dormant lately but may become more sensitive with the recent new snow load, especially in thin areas.
Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2 - 3