Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 8 – 9, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Several skier triggered avalanches over the past 3 days size 2-2.5 in KNP and Sunshine area, see the forecast details. Stick to conservative lines without over head hazard. LP

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    There are thin windslabs from the last storm on lee features that are reactive to explosives (size 1-2). Expect new windslabs to develop with incoming snow and wind over the weekend.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–3
    This layer is especially touchy around Sunshine and in Kootenay on steep features at treeline and below. There have been several skier triggered avalanches to size 2 in past 36 hours and explosive triggered avalanches to size 3 today.

Weather Forecast

West winds to increase to strong over night & through the weekend bringing snowfall accumulations of up to 30 cm.  Most of the snow will occur on Sunday along the Wapta & the Divide.  Alpine temperatures will be warm (-2 to -5 range).  The hazard will rise through the weekend.  Skies will clear Monday as a high pressure moves into the region.

Snowpack Summary

Sunshine, Kootenay and Yoho areas have received up to 75 cm of storm snow since March 2. Lesser amounts of 30-40 cm around Lake Louise and Bow Summit. 40-100cm over the reactive Feb 10 interface of facets,surface hoar,suncrust . Fresh wind slabs up to 40-60 cm deep in the alpine are reactive to skier control.

Avalanche Summary

Over the past three days there have been several skier triggered size 2-2.5 avalanches on the Feb 10th interface in steep terrain or steep convexities in Kootenay and in the Sunshine area below treeline. Avalanche control on the sunshine road produced results up to size 3. Less avalanche activity has been observed in the Louise group.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Regions covered