Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 15th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Darren Vonk,
Parks Canada
Tomorrow the back country terrain around Marmot basin & Tonquin open up! Enter this terrain slowly and get a feel for the snowpack in the area, Avoid think to thin spots and committing lines until you are confident in the snowpack!
Summary
Weather Forecast
Overall the next 3 days are slightly cooler -16 with Light west winds and trace amounts of snow daily.
Freezing level will remain at valley bottom. You can expect broken skies with small appearances from the sun throughout.
Find the Alberta Rockies weather synopsis here: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast
Snowpack Summary
Continued Strong SW winds for the last 5 hours continue building variable strength windslab and pronounced cornice development on Northerly aspects and cross loaded features treeline and above. A supportive mid-pack is bridging the deeper basal facets and depth hoar in some locations.
Average HS at treeline: ~180cm.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche were observed or reported today.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong winds in the park today. SW winds are keeping the wind slabs touchy in lee features. Sensitivity will vary with local loading and wind patterns.
- Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.
- Watch for pockets of hard windslab in steep alpine terrain features..
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Shallow snowpack areas and/or large triggers such as cornice failures could trigger this deep layer. The consequences would be severe!
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 16th, 2020 4:00PM
