Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 9th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Cornices.
Marcus Waring,
We are experiencing a all freeze, no melt spring weather pattern but recently formed wind slabs sit over a variety of firm surfaces and may be reactive to human triggers in heavily wind loaded areas or during periods of intense solar exposure.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Spring weather is highly variable so we recommend selecting area specific forecasts at Spot Wx for localized conditions.
At Parkers ridge: Sunday- Cloudy with sunny periods North wind 15-30km/h. Alpine high -9
Monday - Mix of sun and cloud. Wind NE 15-30km/h. Alpine high -16
Tuesday - Cloudy with sunny periods & isolated flurries. 1cm snow. Light wind
Snowpack Summary
5-15cm or recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong NW-SW wind building wind slabs upto 40cm deep in Alpine and exposed or cross loaded features at Tree line. Windslabs sit over a sun crust on solar aspects into the alpine & a melt freeze up to 2300m on polar asp. Expect dry loose avalanches in steep terrain sheltered from wind. Mid pack.
Avalanche Summary
Multiple, natural dry loose avalanches up to size 1.5 observed in steep rocky terrain from 2300-3000m on the Icefields Parkway today. Explosives testing on April 8 produced upto size 1.5 loose dry avalanches on Parkers ridge. Significant cornice growth has also been noted in the past 48h but no natural activity has been reported.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent storm snow arrived warm followed by a cooling trend. Although this weather pattern is likely to promote bonding, new wind slabs sit over a variety of firm surfaces including sun/temperature crusts & may be reactive to human triggers in spots.
- Caution on open steep slopes at treeline and above that have been exposed to wind loading.
- Use caution on steep lee and cross-loaded slopes
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Continued cold temperatures mean that dry loose avalanches will remain likely in steep terrain sheltered from wind and sun.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Significant cornice growth has been observed in the past 48h. Watch your overhead hazard as cornices may trigger wind slab below resulting large avalanches.
- Minimize exposure to corniced features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2022 4:00PM
