Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 23rd, 2021 6:25PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Deryl Kelly,
That warm feeling on your face at the end of the day is the first sign of spring!
The snowpack is feeling that effect too, be aware of overhead hazards that may be triggered by that solar warming. Ice Climbers, beware!
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tonight: Clear periods. Low -18 C.
Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -14 C. Ridge wind southwest: 20-40 km/h.
Thursday: Flurries. Accumulation: 7 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -13 C, High -9 C. Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 60 km/h.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate to strong ridge top winds from the SW have created wind slabs or hard surface conditions in alpine and tree line features. In sheltered areas the top 30-60cm is faceted snow over a supportive mid-pack where the snowpack is deeper. Thin snowpack areas are weak, un-supportive, and facetted.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control on the Icefields Parkway Monday produced results up to size 3 in the Parkers Ridge zone. Late afternoon activity noted, pockets of loose wet, triggered from steep W aspect. Likely the result of isolated sun and 'greenhouse effect', warming in the Wilson zone.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Severe SW winds have stripped, and transported snow from many areas in the alpine and treeline.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Loose dry, spindrift avalanches remain a problem for ice climbers
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Caution in thin snowpack areas where triggering is more likely. This is a low probability but high consequence problem.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 24th, 2021 4:00PM
