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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 12th, 2017–Mar 13th, 2017

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

A warming trend is producing uncertainty as to how wind and persistent slabs will react in the coming days.

Weather Forecast

Cloud cover and very light precip (<10cm) is forecasted for the next few days. However, wind is expected to be, at times, in the strong range from the west. Temperatures will likely be just below zero at 2000m for the next 24 hours.

Snowpack Summary

60-70cm of storm snow this week has been reactive but is settling with the warmer temperatures. Winds at upper elevations have formed variable wind slabs and cornices. Persistent weak layers in the midpack have been gaining strength and are becoming less of a problem, especially in deeper areas close to the Wapta.

Avalanche Summary

We have had many large, deep avalanches this week, both natural and along highway control paths. With warming temperatures, we expect to see continued avalanche activity.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.