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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 20th, 2019–Mar 21st, 2019
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Banff Yoho Kootenay.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=34810&oPark=100092 The diurnal avalanche cycle prompted by day time heating continues. Avalanches are starting to dig deeper at lower elevations. Time your trips be done by noon or before the avalanche activity starts as the crusts break down...

Weather Forecast

Expect  similar weather tomorrow with generally clear skies again tonight to help freeze the snowpack despite the relatively warm overnight temperatures. Conditions will deteriorate rapidly Thursday with daytime heating. Temperatures at treeline will climb to 10-15C. Temperatures will cool Saturday as the ridge moves east allowing cloud to move in.

Snowpack Summary

Sun crusts or moist snow on solar aspects and isothermal snow at lower elevations. Above treeline, 10-50 cm of recent snow sits over a mix of facets, sun crust and wind slabs.  While a supportive mid-pack exists in thicker areas, very weak facets to the ground are seen in many thinner areas.

Avalanche Summary

A widespread spring avalanche cycle continues with the bulk occurring on solar aspects as they heat up through the day. Avalanche size ranged from size 1-3. Most slides have been within the surface snow (March 7 interface) with some stepping down a bit deeper; however, we have seen only a few avalanche step down to the basal layers.

Confidence

Due to the quality of field observations on Wednesday

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Rapidly warming daytime temperatures and high solar inputs are causing loose wet avalanches to start by mid morning. Some of these are running long distances or triggering slabs along the way. Avoid exposure to these slopes when they heat up.
If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Certain

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

10-50 cm settled snow (since Mar 7) has formed slabs above treeline due to winds and warm temperatures. They sit over a variety of weaker surfaces. Natural and skier triggering of this recent snow has occurred in the last several days on all aspects.
Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.Use conservative route selection, stick to moderate angled terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

We have seen a few avalanches failing on the basal weaknesses and scrubbing to ground. This is mostly occurring with large triggers in thin rocky areas but we expect this type of avalanche activity to increase with more heat.
Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3.5