Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 16th, 2018–Mar 17th, 2018

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

The new snow is bonding poorly to the old snow and is presently touchy. Watch out for large open areas, or gullied terrain that can gain mass quickly. More than 10 cm Saturday would quickly bring us back to considerable danger.

Weather Forecast

Overnight freezes are good on the Alberta side of the Rockies and in the alpine. Low elevation sites on the BC side have not recovered for a few days and pockets of isothermal are present on the Field Back Road and the Tak Falls road. 10cm more upslope snow is expected Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

The majority of the old, settled snowpack is stable and recent tests have not found any weaknesses. 20-30 cm of new snow from the past two days has formed a soft slab, and is poorly bonded to melt-freeze or old snow layers .

Avalanche Summary

Several storm slab avalanches were noted today in Yoho, Banff and Kootenay. a few ranged into size 2 and are a good indication that the problem is still present.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Dry

The sun is strong right now and with this clear weather, it is destabilizing the snow on solar aspects in the afternoon. Generally these avalanches are running as loose wet and not stepping down to deeper layers, but the possibility remains.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Storm Slabs

Hot weather means cornice season, and this is the time when large mature cornices begin to fall off and the mountain sheds its snowpack. On ridges stay well away from cornices (they can reach back and get you), and avoid traveling under them.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2