Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 22nd, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs, Cornices and Loose Wet.
MW,
Avalanche Canada
A warming trend over the next two days may increase the reactivity of cornices and deep persistent slabs.
Be mindful of your overhead hazard and avoid terrain features capable of producing large avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
On Friday , 2 natural large deep persistent slab avalanches were observed by the Icefields road patrol, both on east aspect in the alpine triggered by a cornice failure.
Maligne road patrol saw no new natural avalanche activity on Friday.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Sun crusts on solar aspects with a melt-freeze crust below tree line. Old wind slab in exposed alpine terrain.
A weak layer of sun crust or facets lingers in the mid-pack but the main concern is the depth hoar and basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack causing our deep persistent slab problem.
Weather Summary
Sunday Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High 0 °C.
Light ridge wind occasionally gusting 30 km/h.
Freezing level: 2200 m
Monday A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -3 °C, High 2 °C.
Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.
Freezing level: 2400 m
Tuesday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -3 °C, High -1 °C.
Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h.
Freezing level: 2100 m
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
With increasing daytime temperatures and sun effect mature cornices have a potential to trigger the lingering deep persistent slab below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Freezing level is expected to rise to 2200m on Sunday and Monday.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2023 4:00PM
