Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 21st, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Cornices and Persistent Slabs.
Garth Lemke,
Cooler temperatures the next couple of days will help stability. A little bit of new snow will improve ski quality.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Thursday will be cloudy, flurries, trace amount of snow, -6 C, and 10-30km/hr NE winds. Friday will be similar, 5cm of snow, -12 to -7C, and light ridge winds.
Snowpack Summary
Cold nights is helping the snowpack recovery and creating a supportive melt/freeze crust on all aspects and elevations. This crust will break down over the day, except above ~2500m where the snow is likely to remained dry for the near future. Weak faceted crystals at the bottom of the snowpack could be concern in shallow alpine snowpacks.
Avalanche Summary
Wednesday's field patrol in the Icefields noted one loose wet slab size 2 and another slab to ground on SW face size 2 in the Sunwapta falls area.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
Start early to avoid this problem. Cooler temperatures and clouds will make this less of a concern the next couple of days.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices are awake! These features are large, dense and heavy and will possibly trigger the deeper instability on the slope below. If you must travel near or below cornices, use good travel techniques and group management to reduce exposure.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Shallow snowpack areas in the alpine have increased potential for human triggered and natural avalanches stepping to deeper layers.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 22nd, 2021 4:00PM
