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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 22nd, 2020–Mar 23rd, 2020
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
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

New snow, wind and warmer temperatures will elevate the avalanche danger on Monday. Narrow gullies and steep rocky terrain may have small natural avalanches. Step back to more moderate terrain choices until the new snow has a chance to bond.

Weather Forecast

Snow is expected Sunday night and Monday with total amounts ranging from 10-15 cm depending on the elevation. Winds will increase into the moderate to strong range out of the SW on Monday before dropping down to light again on Tuesday. Freezing levels stay just above valley bottom and some areas could see rain at lower elevations on Monday. 

Snowpack Summary

2-5 cm of new snow in eastern areas of the forecast region on Saturday night. Widespread wind effect in the alpine and down into treeline. Sun crusts on solar aspects and buried sun crusts on steep solar aspects. In thin snow pack areas a dense mid-pack sits over a weak faceted base, while deep snowpack areas have a solid base.

Avalanche Summary

Several solar triggered small loose avalanches observed in the past several days and some skier triggered surface sluffing in steep terrain up to size 1.5.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Incoming snow and moderate to strong SW winds Monday will create fresh wind slabs in lee areas at treeline and above. These will be possible to trigger by skiers. Avoid wind loaded areas in steep terrain, especially in thin snowpack areas.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Use caution in thin snowpack areas averaging 150cm or less. In these areas the basal snowpack layer of depth hoar and facets remains weak, and the mid and upper snowpack is thin enough to allow for triggering of the deep persistent layer.

  • Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3