Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 17 – 18, 2015Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Pockets of good skiing can be found in sheltered locations. Otherwise, ski conditions remain challenging.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    These wind slabs are becoming less sensitive, however human triggering is still possible. Likely this will come in the form of a hard wind slab rather than a soft one, if tested.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    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 be more sensitive with the new load, especially in thin areas.

Weather Forecast

Cloudy skies and minimal precipitation is forecasted for the next few days. Most of the precip will arrive Friday (~10mm equivalent). Temps at valley bottom will be hovering around zero degrees, cooler up high. Given the warmish temperatures and late time of year, any unexpected burst of solar energy will change conditions for the worse.

Snowpack Summary

Recent strong wind has created hard slabs on the snow surface in the alpine. Below this expect to find a mix of facets and crusts. As ghastly as that combination sounds, generally it is well bonded.

Avalanche Summary

A natural size avalanche size 1.5 was observed near the Balfour Hut today. The observer describes the avalanche as a hard windslab. It was noted at 2300m on a North aspect. No other avalanches were observed or reported.

Confidence

Regions covered