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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 16th, 2022–Mar 17th, 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: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Mount Whymper, Vermillion Peak, and Simpson Area avalanche closure zones are CLOSED on Thursday, March 17th for avalanche control.

Weather Forecast

SW flow continues for the next few days, expect mainly cloudy conditions and isolated flurries on Thursday and Friday with moderate west winds. Alpine temperatures expected to be in the -5 to -12 range.

Snowpack Summary

15-30cm of new snow overlies a variety of surfaces including a buried sun crust on solar aspects, previous wind effect, and soft snow on polar aspects. Several buried sun crust layers exist on solar aspects, the most concerning being the Feb 16 down 40-60 cm and Jan 30 down 50-80 cm. The lower snow pack is generally well settled

Avalanche Summary

Local ski hills reported a few explosives triggered windslab avalanches in the alpine up to sz 1.5 otherwise no new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

20-30 cm of recent storm snow and moderate to strong alpine winds has created windslabs in lee alpine and treeline terrain. Continued moderate wind & light flurries may contribute to slab development Thursday.

  • Convex features and steep unsupported slopes will be most prone to triggering.
  • Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Buried crust/facet layers exist in the upper snowpack on solar aspects and may be more reactive with the new snow load. These persistent layers can be tricky to assess so use caution on slopes where they are present.

  • 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