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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2021–Mar 4th, 2021

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.
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.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/links/goto_e.asp?destination=http://www.avalanche.ca/spaw/2021-03-03-special-public-avalanche-warning

A Special Avalanche Warning is in effect.

Increasing temperatures are in the forecast and the effect of this first big warm-up of the season will destabilize the snowpack. This special warning is in effect immediately and will last through the weekend

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure will bring mainly sunny skies, rising temperatures and 30-60km/hr winds from the South West. The freezing level is expected to rise to ~2100m on Thursday with valley bottom temperatures reaching +10. Some snow expected Friday evening into Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Strong SW winds have scoured exposed slopes and formed wind slab in alpine lee areas and open tree line slopes. In Kootenay and around Lake Louise we are tracking two persistent layers of facets and sun crust down 30-80 cm that are producing avalanches and sudden test results. These layers are isolated but have been reactive to skiers recently.

Avalanche Summary

Sunny skies and warm temperatures will have an affect on solar aspects, triggering loose wet avalanches. Avoid sun exposed slopes if the solar heating is intense, or the snow is becoming moist and mushy.

Two close calls in the Simpson area of Kootenay Park last weekend. South aspect at treeline and below treeline in the burnt forest is the pattern.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

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.