Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 5th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
IJ,
Avalanche Canada
We have decided to split the forecast region to reflect different conditions in the Little Yoho region versus thinner snowpack areas in the rest of the Banff, Yoho & Kootenay forecast area. Make sure to read the bulletin that is accurate for whichever region you plan to go to by clicking on the location of your planned trip on the map.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
A team was in the Mt. Field area today and reported no new avalanches.
Further to the east, in thinner snowpack areas, continued evidence of reactivity was observed:
Sunshine Village reported several explosives triggered avalanches to size 2.5 in west facing treeline terrain that had not been previously worked in.
A fresh size 3 skiier triggered avalanche was observed on a southern aspect of Mt. Fairview.
Snowpack Summary
The alpine and exposed regions at treeline are wind effected and have windslabs which are slowly becoming less reactive. Steep solar slopes at treeline and below may also have a thin sun crust. The wind slabs overlie the various Jan PWL interfaces of sun crusts, facets, and surface hoar down 50-90 cm. The weaker Nov. 16 basal facet layer is down 120-200 cm and is still present but not consistently reactive in test pits.
Weather Summary
A stable weather pattern over the next few days with treeline highs ~ -8 and overnight lows near -20. Winds will be generally calm to light from the SW through SE. Partly cloudy skies clearing Tuesday/ Wednesday.
For a more detailed weather forecast, click here.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Windslabs from last weeks storm have been buried by low density snow and are gradually becoming less reactive.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Three persistent weak layers formed in January are down 50-90 cm. The biggest concern is triggering these buried suncrusts on steep solar slopes, but weaker facets and isolated surface hoar can be found on the same interface on shaded aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Weak facets and depth hoar are present at the bottom of the snowpack which inspires little confidence. Be especially cautious in thin snowpack areas, which are likely areas for triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 6th, 2023 4:00PM
