Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 16 – 17, 2014Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

Although the storm is easing off, avalanches are still ripe for human triggering. Sticking to simple terrain is wise until things settle down.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2
    Closely associated to the new storm slabs, wind-slabs will be located at higher elevations in direct lee areas. Because of wind transport the wind slabs will be thicker (up to 40cm) than the storm slabs and potentially more touchy.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    2–4
    As yesterdays avalanche indicates, the basal weaknesses are still susceptible to human triggering. Use caution in steep, shallow areas that have not previously avalanched.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Although the new storm slabs are unlikely to produce very large avalanches they are still quite touchy.

Weather Forecast

The storm is already starting to taper off. However, given the recent new snow load, the danger rating will remain high. Expect little in the way of precip until Wednesday. Additionally temps will drop slightly and winds will die down. Overall the weather inputs over the next week will do little to improve the danger rating dramatically.

Snowpack Summary

The Lake Louise area received 35cm + of storm snow overnight, less in the Sunshine area (17cm). The new snow now puts the Feb.10th layer is down 80-140cm and is still showing easy to moderate test results in thinner snowpack areas, and harder results in deeper snowpack areas. Areas with buried sun crust are especially touchy.

Avalanche Summary

Parks Canada responded to a skier accidental size 3 yesterday with involvement. One person was fully buried and dug out by his companions in approx 15min. The subject was critically injured. It occurred on Helen Shoulder on a SW aspect in a large avalanche path facing 93N. Today, evidence of a widespread cycle up to size 3 was noted in Yoho.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Regions covered