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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2024–Mar 4th, 2024

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

Banff Yoho Kootenay, Little Yoho, Banff, East Side 93N, Kootenay, Lake Louise, LLSA, Sunshine, West Side 93N, Field.

Natural and human triggered avalanches are still occurring with large avalanches observed and multiple near misses. Avoiding avalanche terrain and overhead hazard is the only reliable way to deal with the current snowpack.

Avalanche control takes place March 4 on Vermillion Peak, Simpson Area, Mt Stephen and Cathedral Glades.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Natural and human triggered avalanche activity continues with numerous natural, human and explosive triggered avalanches up to size 3.5 with some avalanches running full path.

The potential for large natural avalanches is very real, and human triggering remains likely.

There have been some very close calls at Lipalian, Crowfoot Glades and HWY 93S. Thanks to those who shared about their incidents, the forecasting team and general public appreciate it!

Snowpack Summary

50-90 cm of new snow fell from Feb 23 to March 2. This combined with strong winds has formed a 40-60 cm storm slab at alpine and treeline elevations. The weak Feb 3 facet/crust layer is down 50-90 cm and exists up to 2500 m and higher on steep solar aspects. The lower snowpack consists of several facet layers and depth hoar. The basal layer is weaker in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

A mix of sun and clound with scattered flurries on Monday. 1-3 cm of snow is expected with higher amounts possible in convective flurries. Light to moderate westerly ridgetop winds. Alpine temperatures stay around -17°C and treeline temperatures hover between -8 and -12°C. Freezing levels remain at valley bottom though sunny breaks may heat up solar aspects.

Click here for a more detailed weather forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Remote triggering is a big concern, be aware of the potential for wide propagations and large, destructive avalanches at all elevations.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.