Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 10th, 2016–Mar 11th, 2016
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Avalanche Control planned for Friday on Mt. Bosworth, Stephen, Field and Dennis.  Please no recreational activities in these areas on Friday.  Thank-you.

Weather Forecast

Snowfall will taper off Thursday night and winds should back off through the morning Friday. Freezing levels to 1600 m. Expect sunny periods Friday and flurries on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

20 -35 cm of new snow over the past few days overlies buried sun crusts on solar aspects. Moist snow exists up to 1700 m. Recent moderate S-SW winds with strong gusts have formed slabs in lee areas. A firm upper snow pack sits over a weak mid-pack of facets & depth hoar. In thin snowpack areas tests results are typically collapses near the ground.

Avalanche Summary

A few cornice collapses triggered size 1.5 avalanches in the Sunshine area, otherwise no new avalanches reported, but visibility has been poor. A couple of recent close calls are worth remembering however: last Monday a skier accidental size 2.5 on the Collie Glacier and on Sunday a skier accidental size 2.5 near Bow Summit.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The mid-pack facets remain weak, especially in thin or rocky areas. Avoid steep or unsupported terrain, and watch for signs of instability such as whumphing and cracking. This weakness will be present for some time and is stressed with new snow load.
Caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Recent W winds and new snow have created soft slabs in leeward ares near ridge crests. Pay attention to the snow surface conditions while touring - you can usually detect wind slabs easily and avoid these spots.
Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2