Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 26 – 27, 2015Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Pay attention to the freezing levels. Some forecasts have freezing levels going up to 2600 m on Friday.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    There is generally 10-20 cm available for transport and moderate to strong SW wind continues to build windslabs. They are sensitive to human triggering on features such as ridge crests, cross loaded gullies, and steep lee terrain features.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Rising freezing levels on Friday has the potential to create a loose wet avalanche problem on solar aspects

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    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 become more sensitive with the rising temperatures.

Weather Forecast

Freezing Levels forecasted to rise to 2500m on Friday with a cooling trend starting on Saturday. Friday will be mainly cloudy with some scattered flurries moving in on the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of recent storm snow at upper elevations is starting to form soft wind slabs on lee terrain in the alpine. These wind slabs overlay a variety of hard surfaces particulary on south aspects. Moist surface snow on south aspects up to ridge line. In most places the base of the snowpack is made up of weak facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

One skier triggered size 1.5 wind slab reported from a SE aspect at 2700 m in Bow Summit area.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday

Regions covered