Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.
Strong winds and continued imputes of new snow through the long weekend will keep the avalanche hazard elevated at upper elevations.
Weather Forecast
Mainly cloudy Friday with small amount of snow accumulation (2-5cm) over the forecast region. Ridge top winds will remain in the moderate to strong range from the South West. Valley bottom temperatures will reach 8 degrees with freezing levels climbing to 2000m. More snow forecasted for Sunday with up to 15cm of accumulation.
Snowpack Summary
15-35cm of recent storm snow early this week, with the most around Sunshine and Bow Summit. Strong winds have formed wind slab at tree line and above. The March 19 interface is down 20-50cm and consists of crust on solar aspects and facets on north aspects. Basal facets exist in shallow areas east of the divide.
Avalanche Summary
Size 2.5 natural wind slab observed on Mt Rundel, suspect this released within the past 24 hours. No other report or observations Thursday.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong winds from the South West on Friday will continue to build wind slab in the alpine and down into tree line. Use caution in steep or loaded terrain, we have uncertainty on how reactive these slabs are.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially in steep confined alpine terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Cornices
Cornices are big and the springtime is when they fall off more frequently. Strong winds combined with the forecasted warmup may make them more likely to fall. Don't be nearby when they do!
- Minimize exposure to overhead hazard from cornices.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5