Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 12th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.
TJ,
Avalanche Canada
If stepping out into more serious terrain, do so with caution and backed-up with evidence. Watch-out for solar radiation affecting the new snow if the sun comes out.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A road patrol on Wednesday down the Icefields Parkway saw several large avalanches up to size 3 in the alpine. These are likely from Sunday or Monday. Explosive control along Maligne Lake road produced one size 2 running onto the road. This avalanche stepped down to ground.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20cm precipitation since Sunday sits on a melt freeze/solar crust. Snow in the alpine was accompanied by strong southwest winds creating new wind slabs in lee features. Snowpack below 1800m is in a daily melt-freeze cycle. The mid pack above this elevation consists of multiple layers of sun crusts or facets. Depth hoar and basal facets make up the base of the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -5 °C.
Ridge wind light to 15 km/h.
Freezing level: 1700 metres.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -5 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 10-30 km/h.
Freezing level: 1600 metres.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Remember that the snowpack will be significantly different at higher elevations than lower down.
Problems
Wind Slabs
The winds have been light the last few days. Watch out for isolated wind slab from convective flurries.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Stronger overnight freezes may keep this problem in check until mid to late afternoons. Watch out if the sun comes out. Wet loose avalanches will likely step-down to our basal facets in steep terrain resulting in large avalanches
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 13th, 2023 4:00PM
