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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 21st, 2023–Feb 22nd, 2023
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Natural avalanches are possible and if the deep persistent layer is released, expect large destructive avalanches.

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Road closure(highway 742) due to avalanche control on Mt. Rundle(Canmore Hill) at 1pm on Wednesday Feb 22.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The field team went to Burstall Pass today and had poor visibility all day and saw one size 1.5 avalanche on a SE aspect. We are likely going through a natural avalanche cycle.

Snowpack Summary

This latest storm has left us with 40-50cm of snow. This is the first large input on the snowpack since December; this is likely to wake up the deep persistent (November facet) layer somewhere. During the storm, the winds shifted from West to East, so expect to find wind slabs on all aspects at tree line/alpine, and some thinner slabs in open areas below tree line. These East winds are suppose to continue in the 30km/hr range until Thursday morning, so expect continued wind slab formation. At tree line and below, this new snow mostly sits on top of a faceted snowpack. In the alpine, the new snow and wind slabs sits on top of a strong mid-pack where it was previously deep and on top of facets where it was not so deep. In either case, the November facets(deep persistent problem) is a big concern to create large avalanches that could go to ground.

Weather Summary

The storm has passed and the Arctic air has settled in. Wednesday will bring mostly cloudy skies with light flurries in the morning. Temperatures at tree line will be between -25c and -30c for the day. Winds will continue to be from the East at 30km/hr.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Be aware of unusual loading due to the east winds.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

To the West of us, anytime a new load has been applied to the snowpack, the deep persistent layer has woken up. Large avalanches will likely flow through to the valley bottom.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5