Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 24th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
Jeff Andrews,
Pay attention to wind loading patterns and recent wind slab development. Dry loose activity may increase with solar input.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Friday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Alpine High -11 C. Ridge wind W 10km/h. Alpine temperature inversion.
Saturday: Mix of sun and cloud. Alpine Low -13 C; High -9 C. Ridge wind SW 15km/h. Freezing level valley bottom.
Sunday: Isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Alpine Low -11 C; High -5 C. Ridge wind SW 15 gust 40km/hr. Freezing level 1400m.
Snowpack Summary
10-15cm of recent snow has been redistributed by northerly winds causing reverse loading in many locations with wind slab development in Alpine and exposed terrain at tree line. A weak temperature crust present up to 1900m on all aspects with a sun crust on solar aspects up to 2800m. Basal facets & depth hoar found throughout the forecast area.
Avalanche Summary
A few natural size 1 dry loose avalanches observed and reported through the MIN on the Icefields Parkway Tuesday and Wednesday - most occurring in steep terrain with unsupported features.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs sit over a variety of surfaces including old wind slabs, temperature crust and sun crust making reactivity variable. Be extra cautious in areas where wind slabs sits over a hard layer.
- Be careful with reverse loaded pockets of wind slab at ridgeline.
- Watch hollow sounds on unsupported windslabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
This problem is specific to steep, wind protected terrain. Expect more dry loose activity in areas where recent snowfall sits over a hard surface.
- Be careful of loose dry sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
- Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 25th, 2022 4:00PM
