Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 9th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Garth Lemke,
The Icefields region remains winter conditions. Good travel and ski conditions are found in sheltered locations.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Saturday will bring sun, cloud, flurries, -10C, light gusting moderate NW winds, and valley bottom freezing level. Sunday will be similar, 4cm of snow, -13C, and light NW winds.
Snowpack Summary
25cm of new snow arrived Wednesday night at Parkers ridge with much less further North and South. Winds are increasing to moderate speeds forming alpine ridgetop windslabs. The midpack is firm snow over weak basal facets and depth hoar near the ground.
Avalanche Summary
Friday's explosive control work on Parkers slabs produced two size 2.5 hard windslabs burying the road 2m deep. One natural size 2.5 noted on a North aspect in the alpine scrubbing down to rocks. Thursday's Icefield's patrol noted noted one size 3 running full path recently occurring on Churchill slide path.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday
Problems
Wind Slabs
There is a lot of snow available for wind transport. Investigate whether this condition rests on a slippery temperature crust having a higher potential for human triggering.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Use caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Forecasters are noting a slight increase in activity in the past few days. One could say the probability is increasing with either natural or human triggering. Shallow snowpack areas would have the increased potential for human triggering.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2021 4:00PM
