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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 23rd, 2020–Mar 24th, 2020
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
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Less snow fell than expected on Monday, however higher elevations and areas to the West saw enough new snow and wind to create small fresh wind slabs that could be a concern in steep alpine terrain.

Weather Forecast

Continued flurries through Tuesday with an additional 2-5 cm's depending on the elevation. Winds will remain in the light to moderate range out of the W with a slight increase in wind speed Tuesday night. Freezing levels should stay at valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

2-10 cm of snow on Monday with the higher amounts in the west. Moderate SW winds in the alpine forming new wind slabs. Previous widespread wind effect in the alpine and treeline. Sun crusts and buried sun crusts on 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. No new avalanches observed or reported on Monday but observations are limited.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

New snow and moderate winds have created small fresh wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine. These will be possible to trigger by skiers. Avoid wind loaded areas in steep terrain, especially in thin snowpack areas or narrow gullies.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Use caution in thin snowpack areas averaging 150 cm or less. In these areas the basal snowpack layer of depth hoar and facets remains weak. This has been unreactive for the last week but is still a concern in steep terrain.

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

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2 - 3