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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 17th, 2017–Mar 18th, 2017
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Little Yoho.

Another storm on the way will keep the danger ratings elevated through the weekend. Avoid avalanche terrain.

Weather Forecast

Another pulse of snow coming through Saturday although forecast amounts have shrunk somewhat. Expect 20 to 30cm with moderate to strong alpine winds and freezing levels to 2000m. This means rain will fall at lower elevations. On Sunday precipitation will taper off with moderate alpine winds and temperatures will drop off to -15 to 18C.

Snowpack Summary

30-60cm of recent snow and wind have continued to build significant load over midpack facets. The mix of previous rain, warm temperatures, and this new snow is overloading buried storm and windslabs, as well as the deeper facet layers which have woken up. Cooling Friday slowed the natural cycle, but only just. 

Avalanche Summary

Many avalanches up to size 4 in the past 3 days on all aspects and elevations, in many cases reaching historical maximums .  Avalanche control on Hwy. 93 South produced results to size 3.5 showing it is still extremely sensitive. 

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Several buried weak layers in the middle of the snowpack have become reactive again this week and should remain that way through this weekend.  Once triggered, these will be very large in magnitude. 

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 3 - 4

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs up to 1 meter deep exist at higher elevations, and in specific wind effected areas near treeline. Expect these to continue growing with additional inputs.

  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Wet

With rain possible to 2000m on Saturday, loose wet avalanches can't be counted out. Gully terrain and steep cliffs will be likely areas. Climbers take note.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2