Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 23 – 24, 2013Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Many bold tracks have shown that not all slopes are avalanche prone. The conditions are tricky. Do not let the presence of other tracks dissuade you from a conservative fun day. JBW

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    New windslabs have formed on lee aspects, much thicker West of the divide where more new snow has fallen.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3
    There have been a number of cornice falls observed over the last week, some triggering deep storm slabs beneath. Be aware of what is above you. 

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Watch out for thin areas especially East of the divide where it is possible to trigger or remote trigger deep slabs on basal facets or crusts.� Be conservative with terrain choices in bigger terrain.

Weather Forecast

Another sunny day under a ridge of high pressure will be followed by a weak front and a few clouds Monday.

Snowpack Summary

There is a great variation between the east and west in the forecast district. East of the divide, the lower snowpack is weak facets and collapsing of this layer is causing remote triggering of avalanches with wide propagations. On southerly aspects these avalanches are failing on a crust while on NE aspects cornice triggers are triggering storm.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanches have been observed on all aspects every day for the past week, some up to size three. These avalanches are more prevalent east of the divide.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations

Regions covered