Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 5 – 6, 2018Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Storm snow distribution is variable throughout the forecast region. Expect up to 35cm in Kootenay and as little as 5cm in the Lake Louise area.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5
    This problem will be more pronounced in the parts of the forecast region that received more storm snow. It will be particularly prevalent in steep confined areas.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    This problem is isolated to Kootenay and the region surrounding Sunshine where snowfall amounts were up to 35cm. Expect this problem to transition to a wind slab problem as the low density snow is redistributed by increasing wind.

Weather Forecast

Gradual warming is expected over the next few days. However, valley temperatures will not exceed zero degrees. The ridge temperatures will also increase but will not exceed -10. Cloud cover and very light precipitation will advance into the region through Wednesday. Wind will increase tonight to the strong range at ridge top from the SW.

Snowpack Summary

Variable amounts of low density storm snow (5-35) that arrived in the last 24 hours now sit on top of a firm mid-pack. The higher amounts of storm snow are to the south of the region. The Dec/Jan surface hoar layers are rounding and inactive in tests. The deeper facet layers down 80-150 cm remain weak but are presently difficult to propagate.

Avalanche Summary

A recreational party reported triggering (skier controlled) a size 1.5 storm slab today on the East aspect of Vermillion Peak at 2600m. 20cm deep by 60m wide by 200m long. Otherwise some sluffing (loose dry) up to size 1 was observed in the Simpson slide paths.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Regions covered