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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2013–Mar 1st, 2013

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Little Yoho.

Snow to begin tonight with greatest amounts on the Wapta, along the Divide and West of it. Far less is expected on the East side. The hazard will increase accordingly. Expect new slab development with strong west winds.  We may see rain to 1800 m. LP

Weather Forecast

A significant system moves into the area tonight through to Sunday.  Freezing levels will rise to 1800 m (rain at lower elevations) and snow is expected with strong west winds.  Amounts will be greatest along the divide and west of it, much less is expected East of the divide. Amounts are uncertain, but we can expect the hazard to rise.

Snowpack Summary

Throughout the region there are some fresh wind slabs up to 25 cm thick in immediate lee resting over more stubborn hard slabs. West of the divide the mid-pack is generally well settled and the East side the mid-pack is faceted. The early January surface hoar is down ~50 cm in some areas but is unreactive to slope and field tests. 

Avalanche Summary

A skier accidental size 2.5 occurred on a steep cross loaded feature in the National Geographics, near Lake Louise, click here for image: https://on.fb.me/15m3Ghd (francais: https://on.fb.me/YL9MWx). It was triggered from the upper circle and the skier got out at the lower circle.  The hard slab was 40-60 cm thick and ran the full length of the path.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.