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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 19th, 2021–Mar 20th, 2021
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

While new snow has started to accumulate over the solar crusts, the snowpack at low elevations has been weakened with a poor freeze and rain. Watch temperatures carefully as you plan  your weekend.

Weather Forecast

Convective activity Friday afternoon is expected to clear overnight allowing for a weak freeze to around 1500m Saturday morning. Building cloud will bring flurries Saturday and perhaps 5-10cm closer to the divide.  SW winds will start of in the moderate range in the alpine Saturday but can be expected to increase to the strong range.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of new snow fell Friday with rain and no freeze below 1500m. The new snow now buries sun crust on steep solar aspects (East to West) into the Alpine, a temperature crust on all aspects below 1800m and  Surface hoar up to 10mm located in isolated, shaded areas.

Avalanche Summary

A few loose wet avalanches were observed today on Mt Dennis below the freezing level. Thursday, Lake Louise ski patrol ra few reported natural and skier controlled loose wet avalanches in steep, rocky and thin snowpack features located on  solar slopes below treeline with intense solar heating.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Saturday

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Poor crust recovery Thursday night combined with rain below 1500m has weakened the snowpack at valley bottom levels. At higher elevations new snow over crusts will become moist quickly with solar inputs.

  • If triggered, loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2