Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 28th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
RJ,
Avalanche Canada
This storm is causing rapid loading on an already unstable snowpack. Avoid avalanche terrain as a natural avalanche cycle is expected.
The Icefields Parkway is CLOSED for avalanche hazard and control. Check Alberta 511 for updates.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 50 cm of new snow is expected to fall in this storm with strong southwest winds. This new snow is falling on 15 to 50 cm of previous storm snow that had widespread windslab development. Both storms are now sitting on faceted snow above a 1-3cm thick crust that is down 35-80 cm. The mid-pack is faceted with basal depth hoar and well developed facets near ground. HS ranges from 80 to 130cm.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Thursday
Flurries, 5-10cm. Alpine temperature: High -5 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom. Ridge wind southwest 15 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h.
Friday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Alpine temperature: Low -16 °C, High -11 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom. Ridge wind south: 10-25 km/h.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Only the most simple non-avalanche terrain free of overhead hazard is appropriate at this time.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Touchy windslabs from recent strong winds exist in alpine and treeline, and possibly in open areas below treeline. These slabs are bonded poorly to the faceted snow and/or crusts they overlie.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This problem layer is the crust and facets created by early February's warm spell.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Tickling this deep layer would result in a high consequence avalanche and any avalanche in the upper snowpack has the potential to step down to the base of the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 29th, 2024 4:00PM
