Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 5th, 2021–Mar 6th, 2021

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/links/goto_e.asp?destination=

Cooler temperatures and less solar input Saturday should reduce the likelihood of triggering persistent slabs. However, its a big forecast region, and there is still uncertainty as to how reactive these will be in the different areas.

Weather Forecast

5-10cm (most up Hwy. 93N) overnight ending Saturday AM. Associated mod- strong winds will ease in the AM as well. 3000m temperatures around -15C and valley bottom highs around 0 to 5C.

Snowpack Summary

Its crust season. Expect these to be widespread at lower elevations. Previous strong SW winds scoured alpine ridges, creating wind slab in some alpine lees. 2 active persistent layers (Feb 19, Jan 27) of facets and /or suncrust are 30-80cm down on average. In thin areas, the basal depth hoar and crust is still a prominent layer in the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

The last few days with warmer temperatures and increased sun have seen many avalanches to size 3 caused by explosives, skiers, and natural triggers. Most seem to be failing on one or both of the persistent layers.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Problems

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.

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.