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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 28th, 2024–Feb 29th, 2024
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

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.

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://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.

Avalanche 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: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Persistent Slabs

This problem layer is the crust and facets created by early February's warm spell.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

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: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 4