Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 11th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Marcus Waring,
Current warming trend was less dramatic then originally forecasted. A cautious attitude is still recommended as our first significant warming event adds stress to a complicated and variable snowpack.
Avoid solar slopes during peak warming.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Sun and cloud. No Precipitation. Freezing level rising to 1900m. Wind West 10-30km/h
Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Freezing level 1900m. West wind 10-25km/h.
Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods and Isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Freezing level 1500m.
Snowpack Summary
Weak temperature crust on all aspects up to 1900m with a 1cm sun crust on solar aspects extending into alpine. Upper snowpack has settled but expect reactivity to increase during peak warming/ solar exposure. Exposed alpine stripped to rock at ridgetop & open features. Dec Facets down 20-70cm. Basal faceting & depth hoar widespread throughout area.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control using explosives produced size 2 wet loose results Thursday. A Natural size 3 persistent slab avalanche was noted from a SW aspect on Nigel peak; estimated date Feb 09- likely triggered by large cornice fall from above.
No new avalanche activity observed on the Icefields Parkway or Maligne Lake Road on Friday, Feb 11.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Wet
Be aware of your exposure to overhead hazard and avoid solar slopes during the heat of the day.
- Minimize exposure when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.
- If triggered, loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Persistent slabs sit over different weak layers depending on elevation & aspect. Above 1950m a buried facet layer down 20-40cm is the primary concern. Below 1950m, a faceting crust down 40-70 is presenting a more stubborn version of a similar problem
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 12th, 2022 4:00PM
