Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Banff, Banff Yoho Kootenay, East Side 93N, Field, Kootenay, LLSA, Lake Louise, Little Yoho, Sunshine, West Side 93N.
The natural cycle is tapering off, but conditions remain primed for human triggering. Discipline is required to manage this condition for some time to come.
Avalanche control is being conducted on the Emerald Lake slide path Mar 6, 2024. Hamilton Lake area, Emerald Peak, and Emerald Basin area are CLOSED.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Lake Louise patrol reported triggering a size 2.5 persistent slab that ran 250m. Notably, when the shot went off on the cornice above the slope, the cornice pulled back well into flat terrain. They had another explosive result size 2 wind slab.
Sunshine patrol triggered a size 1.5 persistent slab on the Feb 3rd crust. The slab was reloaded onto the previous bed-surface by the wind.
Snowpack Summary
50-90 cm of new snow fell from Feb 23 to March 2 and is now being blown into wind slabs at upper elevations. These slabs overlie the weak Feb 3 facet/crust layer that is down 50-90 cm and exists up to 2500 m and higher on solar aspects. The lower snowpack consists of several facet layers and depth hoar and the base of the snowpack is weak in shallow areas. Goats Eye Profile.
Weather Summary
A high-pressure system is moving into the forecast region tonight bringing clear skies. Temperature will remain seasonally cool with the ridge at -20 and the valley at -10. Moderate SW wind is expected at the ridgeline. No precipitation will occur.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remote triggering is a big concern, be aware of the potential for wide propagations and large, destructive avalanches at all elevations.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent storm snow is being redistributed into lee areas by strong wind. Look for locally deep deposition areas and avoid them - human triggering remains very likely.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
50-90 cm of snow overlies the Feb 3 crust/facet interface. Numerous natural and skier-triggered avalanches have occurred on this interface recently. Wide propagations and remote triggering remain likely. Avoiding avalanche terrain is the only reliable way to deal with this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Some recent avalanches are stepping down to the weak basal facet and depth hoar layers near the ground resulting in large avalanches. This seems to be most common in thin, steep, rocky terrain in the alpine. Recent snow loading has made this layer more sensitive to natural and human triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5