Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Cirrus-Wilson, Icefields.
Prevailing storm expected to produce another 15cm new snow overnight into Wednesday. Highway 93N closure in effect from Parker Summer to Saskatchewan Crossing with avalanche control planned for Wednesday. Check 511 for updates.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanche activity noted on Tuesday's patrol but visibility was poor. Feb 5th Icefield patrol reported one large natural avalanche triggered by glacial ice.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20cm new snow fell Tuesday in the Icefields area with an additional 15cm possible overnight into Wednesday morning. This new snow adds to 20cm of settled snow from early February sitting on a weak melt freeze crust facet combo below 2100m. Generally, the mid and bottom of the snowpack is weak facets with depth hoar at the base. The snowpack ranges from 60 to 140cm.
Weather Summary
The tail end of a low pressure system is expected to bring an additional 15cm of new snow in the Icefields area overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Winds will be moderate to strong from the southwest and west - freezing level will remain at valley bottom. Clearing trend is expected on Wednesday with continued moderate to strong westerly winds.
Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Avalanches initiating in the upper snowpack are likely to step down to this layer and gain significant mass.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Wind Slabs
Up to 35cm new snow with moderate to strong southwest winds. This will be adding to existing and creating new wind slabs in the alpine and exposed tree line features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Storm Slabs
Up to 35cm of new snow by Wednesday morning. This may be enough to activate a natural avalanche cycle with the settling storm snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5