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Avalanche Bulletin
Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks
Issued:
Saturday, March 13, 2010 14:54Valid Until:
Sunday, March 14, 2010 1600Bulletin Area:
This forecast covers the east and west sides of the Continental Divide from the Wapta Icefields area in the north to the Sunshine area in the south. It also includes the Main Range area from Lake Louise to Bow Summit.Parks Canada strongly recommends that the general public avoid areas where the avalanche danger rating is HIGH or EXTREME. Any travel in these areas should be restricted to Simple terrain or kept within the boundaries of a ski resort.
Danger Rating: |
Saturday | Sunday | Monday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine | 4-High | 3-Considerable | 3-Considerable | |
| Treeline | 3-Considerable | 3-Considerable | 3-Considerable | |
| Below Treeline | 2-Moderate | 2-Moderate | 2-Moderate |
Synopsis:
The good news is that we finally received 40+cm over the last few days at treeline and in the alpine. The bulk fell along the divide in the southern forecast region with slightly less accumulations north of Lake Louise.The bad news is this has been accompanied by strong southerly winds that have created "touchy" windslab avalanche conditions. At treeline and above, mainly on lee northerly aspects this new snow has overloaded the March 07th surface hoar layers 15-30cm down and the February 09th surface hoar 30-50 cm deep.
It's the weekend, it's clearing up and there's a lot of new snow. It will be VERY tempting to go out into the hills and ski some powder in big terrain but conditions are the trickiest we have seen this winter. Stay on smaller, lowered angled terrain and avoid slopes with overhead hazard as we have low confidence in the stability.
Avalanche Activity:
A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred Friday night into Saturday with many slides up to size 3 observed on shady lee aspects propagating large distances into lower angled terrain. Most avalanches appeared to initiate in the March 07th surface hoar with many stepping down to the February 09th.Outlook:
A building ridge over the Rockies should keep us mainly dry until Tuesday with freezing levels around 1500m. Westerly winds at upper elevations will still be in the moderate range so expect continued snow transport. Solar aspects may start running in steeper terrain.Travel Conditions:
Trailbreaking is a little more tedious below treeline but who's complaining! Expect variable windslab, wind pillows, whumpfing and cracking in treeline and alpine terrain. SMHPast 24 hour weather: |
Bow Summit (2010m and 2925m) | Sunshine (2195m and 2620m) | North Kootenay (1985m and 2405m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum (ºC) | -3 | 0 | -8 |
| Minimum (ºC) | -15 | -7 | -4 |
| Snowfall (cm) | 11 | NA | 3 |
| Precipitation (mm) | |||
| Snowpack (cm) | 129 | NA | 150 |
| Wind speed | Light (1-25 km/h) | Moderate (26-40 km/h) | |
| Ridgetop wind direction | SW | SW |
FOR MORE DETAILS:
Warden Office: (403) 762-1470
Emergency: 403 762 4506
24 Hours Recorded Message: 1-800-667-1105
Related Link: http://www.avalanche.ca/
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