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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 30th, 2015–Mar 31st, 2015

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

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels will remain around 2100 m for Tuesday and then lowering to near valley bottoms for rest of the week. Flurries forecasted for Tuesday and Wednesday with accumulations along the divide up to 10-15 cm. Moderate to strong westerly winds will be creating wind slabs in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Below 2000 m the snow pack is rain saturated. In the alpine there is 15-20 cm of recent storm snow  forming wind slabs on east through north aspects. The mid pack above tree line is well settled and overlies a weak facetted base. These basal facets have not been reactive recently, but should still be considered when making terrain choices.

Avalanche Summary

In the alpine several storm snow avalanches were reported out of steep terrain. Lake Louise and Sunshine reported significant cornice growth and several wind slabs up to size 1.5 being easily triggered on the March 28th crust interface. Wind slabs were far more stubborn to trigger on north aspects due warm temps and rapid settlement.

Confidence

Problems

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.