Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 24th, 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.
david mccashin,
Parks Canada
The snowpack in the Whistler Creek / Tonquin region has a significantly less supportive midpack. As a result we have seen a few large avalanches. Be conservative in alpine terrain.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cloudy with sunny periods Tuesday and trace amounts of snow. Alpine high -10 C and wind from the west at 15 km/h.
Find the Alberta Rockies weather synopsis here: Mountain Weather Forecast
Snowpack Summary
15cm new snow over the last 48 hours overlies wind slab and hard slab in the alpine, possible sun crust on steep solar aspects treeline and below. The southern section of the forecast region has a generally a more bridged midpack than the north around Marmot basin. Basal sections of the snowpack consist of up to 40cms of depth hoar and facets.
Avalanche Summary
During field patrol on Hwy 93 Monday no new avalanches were observed.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are widespread in the alpine with previous loading in lee features. Sensitivity will vary with local loading and wind patterns. Triggering a wind slab has the potential to activate the deep persistent slab.
- 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.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Skier triggering could occur in shallow snowpacks or from large loads such a cornice failure. The consequences of triggering would be severe!
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 25th, 2020 4:00PM
