Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 19th, 2020 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.
deryl kelly,
Parks Canada
Sunny ways my friends, Sunny ways!
Strong (dare I say, spring like) solar effect through the region. Some surface changes expected but it will take a few days to penetrate deeper into the cold snowpack.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Fair weather is here. An upper ridge of high pressure will prevail today giving way to a more zonal flow over the province Thursday. The will bring a series of frontal systems to northern BC through the day Thursday.
Find the Alberta Rockies weather synopsis here: Mountain Weather Forecast
Snowpack Summary
Variable strength windslab on most surfaces TL and above. Some solar effect on steep South aspects. Pronounced cornice development on northerly aspects and cross loaded features treeline and above. The mid-pack is bridging the deeper basal facets and depth hoar in some locations.
Average HS at treeline: ~180cm.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported from field teams in the Icefields.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are widespread through the region with new and previous loading in lee features. Sensitivity will vary with local loading and wind patterns.
- Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.
- Watch for pockets of hard windslab in steep alpine terrain features..
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Shallow snowpack areas, windslabs and/or large triggers such as cornice failures could trigger this deep layer. The consequences of triggering will likely be severe!
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 20th, 2020 4:00PM
