Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 21st, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Dry.

jeff andrews,

Forecasts vary but are showing up to 15cm new snow on Friday in the Icefields area with light winds and increasing freezing level. Looking like a nice refresh down South!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Parkers Ridge area:

Friday - Periods of snow up to 16cm. Winds light to 15km/h. Freezing level 2100m; valley bottom (VB) overnight

Saturday - Cloudy with sunny periods. Winds light to 15km/h. Freezing level 2300m; VB overnight

Sunday - Scattered flurries up to 5cm. Winds light gust to 45km/h. Freezing level 2300m

Additional info @ Avalanche Canada MWF

Snowpack Summary

5-15cm of new snow from last weekend sits over previously wind effected surface or sun/temperature crust. Less winds slab development than anticipated with most areas having no visual wind effect. Isolated pockets of wind slab possible near ridge top. A variety of crusts are present in upper snowpack at all elevations; mid pack is well consolidated

Avalanche Summary

Thursday - large serac fall observed off Athabasca below the ramp burying approach size 2.5; a few loose dry - one size 1.5 seen on the Sky Ladder. Medicine Slabs on Maligne Lake Road had one size 1.5 wind slab 20cm deep as well as a few loose dry avalanches up to size 1. Please consider submitting a MIN report if you observe any new activity.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

This problem is specific to steep terrain. Potential size of dry loose avalanches will increase during the day with the new snow - power sluffing may be enough to knock you off your feet as new snow sits over a firm bed surface in most locations.

  • Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
  • Avoid travel above cliffs and in terrain traps, where small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 22nd, 2022 4:00PM