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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2017–Mar 11th, 2017

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

Slabs are touchy for a while still, avoid avalanche exposure. Ice climbers remember there is WAY more snow overhead at higher elevations.

Weather Forecast

Flurries, moderate westerly winds, and moderately cool temperatures are forecast.

Snowpack Summary

60-70cm of storm snow over the past week is surprisingly reactive. With the addition of more snow and increasing wind, windslabs can be expected, especially on lee (east) ridgecrests.  There is plenty of volume for large avalanches to run long distances.

Avalanche Summary

We have had many large, deep avalanches this week, both natural and along highway control paths. It is worth noting that quite a few backcountry paths in Yoho that should have been expected to run to valley bottom by now have not produced any results. Consider your overhead hazard on ice climbs and on traditional ski tours.

Confidence

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.