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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 12th, 2020–Mar 13th, 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
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
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.

Excellent ski quality and coverage right now.  Keep the avalanche problems in mind when considering exposing yourself to committing terrain.

Weather Forecast

An East/ South East flow will develop Friday and winds will increase into the moderate range.  5cm is possible Thursday night and very light amounts for Friday . Temperatures will decrease throughout the day and we will be in a deep freeze by Saturday with temperatures from -20 to -25C.

Snowpack Summary

15-25cm of snow over the last 2 days has been transported by moderate winds at upper elevations creating wind slabs on immediate lee slopes. On steep solar a thin crust has formed on the surface. We continue to monitor the deep, weak facetted snow in the shallower areas of the park.

Avalanche Summary

Direct observation of a natural size 3 cornice release from the postcard face on Cascade mountain Wednesday. The avalanche ran 1700m to the top of the run out zone. Another size 2 wind slab was observed from the last 24 hours on a S facing  slope at 2300m on Observation Peak.  Some sloughing has been observed in steep terrain.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

It is possible to trigger a wind slab in alpine and treeline features exposed to the wind, especially at ridge top. Forecast E/SE winds could mean reverse loading on ridge crests. 

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem is the sleeping giant who remains asleep right now until a significant change wakes them up again. Avalanches are most likely in areas with a thin snowpack (<130cm) where the basal facets and depth hoar are the weakest.

  • 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 - 3.5