Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 6th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
Garth Lemke,
Important to investigate the bond of the new snow arriving Monday and how the strong winds will add to any pre-existing Wind slabs. Extreme winds can deposit snow into lower elevation locations.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Parker ridge on Monday will receive approximately 12cm with the bulk of it arriving between 5am and noon, -6C, strong to extreme West winds. Clouds and flurries, -10C, and moderate West winds for Tuesday. Wednesday is sun with flurries, -9 to -4C, light West winds and a 1700m freezing level.
Snowpack Summary
Strong SW winds the last few days are sustaining the Windslab condition particularly in mid to higher elevation ridgetop locations. The snowpack can range from shallow and barely supportive weak facets in low elevations to a more consistent coverage and solid midpack at treeline and above. Buried 30cm deep Surface hoar has been spotty at treeline.
Avalanche Summary
Sunday's Maligne patrol up Fossil ridge did not note anything new. Saturday's Maligne patrol noted few small dry loose avalanches in steep alpine terrain, and one large wind slab, 30-70cm deep in a steep alpine NE aspect. Saturday's Icefields patrol did not observe any new activity. Visibility was excellent on all these patrols.
Confidence
Wind effect is extremely variable on Monday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Expect the winds to continue to maintain and further develop this problem. Strong to extreme winds and 12cm of snow is forecasted for Monday. Be vigilant for a spotty inconsistent buried surface hoar layer 30cm down, whumpfing, or cracking snow.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
- Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Persistent slabs sit over different weak layers depending on elevation & aspect. Above 1950m a buried facet layer down 20-40cm is the primary concern. Below 1950m, a crust-facet combo is down 40-70cm yet appears to be well bridged by layers above.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 7th, 2022 4:00PM
