Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 10th, 2015–Mar 11th, 2015

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

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

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

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.

Spring like conditions exist. Pay attention to how warm it is getting and how strong the overnight recovery is. Valley bottoms may become isothermal. Start and end your tours early.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will be mainly cloudy with some isolated flurries at upper elevations. Freezing levels will rise to 2100 m. Continued warm temperatures with little precipitation through the end of the week.

Snowpack Summary

Generally well settled mid pack with with weaker facets and depth hoar in basal pack. Moist snow on solar aspects below 2000 m. Very isolated wind slabs may be found near ridge tops in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

One skier triggered wind slab (size 1.5) on a south slope at 3000 m reported from the Wapta on Tuesday. Several loose wet avalanches up to Class 1.5 on solar aspects.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

The warm temperatures will create wet sluffs and rockfall on south facing slopes and gullies at and below treeline. Ice climbers should avoid this terrain, and instead search for north facing climbs where the cold temperatures will keep things solid.

Plan to be off big slopes before the temperatures rises and the snowpack deteriorates.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The lower half of the snowpack is weak due to the presence of basal facets and depth hoar. This layer has been dormant lately but may waken up with the warm temperatures. Avoid steep, open, rocky slopes with a shallow snowpack.

Travel conditions are difficult at lower elevations and in the trees.Ski crampons make travel easier and safer on frozen surface conditions

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 2 - 3