Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 12th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
CB,
Avalanche Canada
A few more centimeters of snow Monday night may be the last for a while, get ready to soak up some sunshine.
Continue to keep the Persistent and Deep Persistent avalanche problems on your mind, as a couple of recent large natural avalanches have reminded us they are not going away.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Two recent, and large, Deep Persistent Slab avalanches were observed along the Icefields Parkway on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
A sun crust has formed on solar aspects up to tree line, and the northwest winds have redistributed the recent snow in open areas at tree line and above.
In sheltered areas 10 - 20 cm of low density snow overlies the Feb 3rd crust, which ranges from 1-3cm thick on shaded aspects up to 2500m, to 15-20cm thick at lower elevations. The Persistent and Deep Persistent weak layers continue to produce whoomphing and sudden fractures in tests.
Weather Summary
Tuesday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -12 °C.
Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
- Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of runout zones.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong winds from the west and northwest have formed new wind slabs in leeward features in the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This weak layer, buried 20-40cm deep, is still reactive in snowpit tests and human triggering remains possible, particularly in shallow rocky start zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Human and natural triggering of these basal facets remains possible.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 13th, 2024 4:00PM
