Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 4 – 5, 2012Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 15 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Snowfalls and strong winds on the Divide are forecasted to continue for the 24 hours. Widespread natural activity is expected in those areas. This is a good time to pull back the reins until conditions improve.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Moderate winds this week have also created thin, but stiffer wind slab conditions 25-35 cm deep on ridgetop lee terrain. These have been seen to step down to the Valentine layer and are now buried by further snowfalls.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Snow depths over the Valentines surface hoar and sun crust on steep solar aspects range from 20cm E of the Divide, to 50+cm at Sunshine and Yoho. Continuing snowfalls and strog winds will increase natural activity on this layer.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Recent trips east of the Divide have found a shallow, weak snowpack. Tests done showed sudden collapse results on the basal facets. It is still possible to trigger the entire slope from shallow, thinly covered areas.

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Regions covered