Avalanche control on the Icefields Parkway is possible this Monday as warm temperatures and sunny skies will destabilize the snowpack treeline and below.....stay tuned!
Lawinenprobleme
Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Possible - Likely
Größe
1–3
Gusty moderate SW winds continue to form slabs dating from early April. Sheltered snow does exist at treeline and below.
Loose Wet
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Possible - Likely
Größe
1–2
A melt freeze crust will form overnight however it will deteriorate rapidly with prolonged solar exposure.
Deep Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Hochgebirge
Waldgrenze
Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
Wahrscheinlichkeit
Possible - Likely
Größe
2–3
Most observed avalanches in the past week have stepped down to this layer. Triggers include: wind loading, cornice fall and solar exposure. Most commonly triggered from shallow areas or near rock outcrops.
Weather Forecast
Cool temps overnight will continue through the day Saturday. Snow flurries will begin tonight but skies will clear by tomorrow afternoon. Another cold night expected Saturday then the sun will come out and temperatures will rebound on Sunday and Monday.
Snowpack Summary
At treeline (TL) and below, warming temperatures have destabilized the snowpack with moist snow in the upper pack. Surface crusts will form overnight when temps drop. Solar facing slopes close to TL may have buried crusts with slab snow above. Deeply buried weaknesses near ground are a concern as are windslabs at and above TL.
Avalanche Summary
A couple of slab avalanches to size 2.5 treeline to alpine have occurred in the past 48 hrs. A large alpine cornice failure on an E aspect slope had limited propagation. Afternoon warming and solar radiation has produced point and wet slab releases from below treeline.
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday