Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 2nd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
MW,
Avalanche Canada
Cool overnight temperatures on Friday will create a hard crust up to 2500m. This cooling trend will lower the hazard rating and make travel easier but the ski quality will remain poor.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanche activity tapered off with no new avalanche activity observed on the Icefields Parkway or Maligne Lake road today.
Previous widespread avalanche activity over the past week produced numerous natural avalanches at all elevations. This included some impressive avalanches up to size 3.5 at higher elevations, as well as loose wet up to size 2.
Snowpack Summary
Previous high freezing levels, rain, and solar radiation has formed a surface crust up to 2500m. Cooling temperatures will solidify this crust but at least it will become supportive to ski traffic.
Previous Strong S and SW winds have scoured the alpine leaving behind isolated pockets of wind slab in leeward terrain
Persistent weak layers formed in early January are down 20-30cm in sheltered areas. Well developed facets and depth hoar make up the bottom of the snowpack.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Saturday Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Alpine High -4 °C. Light ridge wind. Freezing level 1900m
Sunday Scattered flurries. Accumulation 2-4 cm. Ridge wind 15 km/h. Freezing level 1600
Monday Cloudy with sunny periods. Light ridge wind. Freezing level valley bottom
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Stick to non-avalanche terrain or small features with limited consequence.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Human and natural triggering of these basal facets remains possible.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This layer is concerning when there is a cohesive slab overlying the January Facets and Surface Hoar layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2024 4:00PM
