Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 13th, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Parks Canada Brian Webster, Parks Canada

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Hazard is improving, but forecasters still have concern for larger  isolated avalanches. It is still a good idea to avoid  big features and unsupported terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mixed sun and cloud with isolated flurries along the divide for Friday. Winds forecast to be moderate from the SW and freezing levels will remain around 1400 m. Some weather models predicting 10-20 cm of new snow by end of weekend.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of dry snow over the past 48-hours sits over top of a well settled mid-pack. The lower snowpack consists of weaker facets (particularly in shallower snowpack areas) that are producing moderate shears with snowpack tests. Isolated wind slabs exist near ridge tops and lee terrain in the alpine.

Avalanche Summary

No natural activity observed. The ski-hills reported small wind-slabs in the alpine that were reactive to ski-cutting. Lake Louise ski hill reported an-out-of-bounds skier triggering a size one wind slab in the Lipallian area.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Small wind-slabs can be expected near ridge-tops and lee terrain in the alpine.

  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Several larger avalanches failing on this layer have been observed in the past week. Bigger features and convex slopes should still be avoided until this layer stabilizes.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2020 4:00PM