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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 10th, 2025–Mar 10th, 2025
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Heavy snowfall has resulted in 15-75+ cm of new snow, with more in the northern areas (Bow Summit). The avalanche danger is expected to remain HIGH over the next few days.

Parks Canada will be conducting avalanche control on Mt Bosworth and Mt Stephen on Monday, March 10. No access to these zones on March 10.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

An ongoing natural avalanche cycle up to size 3 is expected to continue. Stay out of all avalanche terrain.

Snowpack Summary

25 to 75+ cm of new snow since Saturday with strong to extreme SE-SW winds. This sits over previous surfaces, including sun crust on steep solar aspects and surface hoar in sheltered areas. The weak Jan drought facet layers are down 40-100 cm. In shallower eastern regions, the mid and lower snowpack is mostly facets and depth hoar, while deeper western regions are more consolidated with fewer facets. Treeline snowpack depths range from 90 cm in the east to 180+cm in the west.

Weather Summary

An atmospheric river will continue to bring heavy snowfall to the region Sunday night. This system has primarily affected the northern parts of the region. Snow amounts so far ranges from over 50 cm at Bow Summit to 10 cm in the Simpson area. An additional 20 to 30 cm of snow is possible Sunday night before conditions begin to clear. Winds will start to decrease Monday, and freezing levels will drop to valley bottoms.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy snowfall.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

20-80 cm HST since Saturday and strong southerly winds creating storm and wind slabs at all elevations. Greater amounts in the northern forecast area (Bow Summit).

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Storm snow is forecast to overload the persistent layers in the midpack and basal layers.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Dry

Lots of snow available for transport and strong winds will create loose dry avalanches at treeline and above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2