Avalanche forecast

Banff Yoho Kootenay

Mar 5 – 6, 2014Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Fantastic skiing can be found in the region! Pick terrain carefully, hazard is building with new snow and wind.  We continue to have low confidence in how well the Feb 10th layer is bonding. LP

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Soft to hard windslabs, generally 30 cm thick, can be triggered in lee terrain.  In steep terrain, the snow is gaining cohesion to act like a storm slab. The new snow sits on a low density cold layer of snow that will take several days to bond.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    This layer is gaining strength but tests and whumphing still show there is potential for wide propagation in some areas.  Any avalanche on this layer could lead to severe consequences.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Several loose snow avalanches were observed pouring over cliffs today to size 1.5.  Winds will continue to be gusty for the next 2 days. Pay attention to terrain over head.

Weather Forecast

Another 15 cm forecasted by the end of Wednesday and 5 cm for Thursday.  Winds forecasted to be moderate SW with strong gusts. Snow will end Thursday evening and warm temperatures are forecasted for the weekend.  More snow and wind will add to the slab development and increase the avalanche hazard.

Snowpack Summary

20 cm of snow over the past 2 days.  New wind & storm slabs, generally 30 cm thick, are reactive to skier triggering.  50-80 cm of snow sits on the Feb10th layer (facets, surface hoar, and on solar aspects a sun crust). Tests show moderate hard results with potential to propagate. Some whumphs on this layer today. No shears in the basal layers.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose avalanches occurred today in steep terrain. Ski hill forecasters reported ski cutting several soft-hard wind slabs to size 1.5. One size 1.5 skier accidental was reported on the weekend on an E aspect at 2350m near Bow Summit. It failed on the Feb 10th layer.  Poor visibility today. Activity will increase with snow & wind forecasted.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

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