Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 21st, 2017 4:21PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Alberta Parks michael.olsthoorn, Alberta Parks

Continue to avoid any exposure to overhead hazard as large scale avalanches are still possible.  Many slopes out there look primed for human triggering.

Summary

Confidence

-

Weather Forecast

Forecast for Wednesday is for a mix bag of sun, cloudy periods and isolated flurries. Alpine temperature should be -4c with ridge winds from the West of 35-55km/hr. Freezing level should be around 2000m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed today but the places that have not gone look primed to go. The forecasters are still avoiding any exposure to larger slopes overhead. One recent avalanche in the Burstall area crossed the valley bottom into the trees on the opposite side and put a couple of meters of snow where skiers often put their track.

Snowpack Summary

There is a temperature crust from the recent rain event up to 2250m. This has made travel below tree line very easy for going uphill and a little interesting for going downhill. A snow pit profile dug at Burstall Pass on Tuesday indicates a generally well settled snowpack sitting on 125cm of facets and depth hoar which has a four finger resistance. It is like putting something dense overtop of a bunch of "pick up sticks". Above 2300m in the alpine, there was either a soft slab approximately 20cm thick or widespread wind slab which is reactive to snow pit tests. Many slopes  that have not avalanched look primed for human triggering.  Good skiing can be found on moderate angled slopes in the alpine with no overhead hazard and sheltered areas at tree line.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are found on all aspects. Human triggering is very likely.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded slopes

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
Natural avalanches have slowed down but there is still a real concern for larger overhead exposure.
Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2017 2:00PM