Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 11th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Marcus Waring,
Rising temperatures will stress the snowpack.
The Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake Road are expected to close Wednesday at 1200h - Thurs PM for avalanche control.
No skiing or Ice climbing during this period please.
Check AB 511 for up to date info.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: Flurries. 6 cm accumulation.
SW wind 15-35 km/h
Freezing level 1800m
Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace precipitation.
West wind 20km/h gusting 60.
Freezing level 1900m
Friday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.
SW wind 20km/h
Freezing level 1400m
Snowpack Summary
Strong SW are creating wind effect and building windslabs on leeward slopes. These windslabs are expected to become more reactive as temperature rises. The mid snowpack remains faceted with the December persistent weak layers buried 40-70cm. Basal facets and depth hoar can be found at the base of snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
Several natural loose dry avalanches observed on the Icefields parkway and on Maligne lake road over the past 24h
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slab development will continue with new snow available on wednesday and strong SW wind. Expect wind slabs to become increasingly reactive as temperature rises.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
A persistent slabs sit over 2 different layers depending on elevation. Below 1950m, the persistent weak layer is the Dec 1 rain crust. Above 19950m, facets buried on Dec 26 are the primary concern.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
- Loose dry avalanches could easily trigger Wind Slab or Persistent Slab avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 12th, 2022 4:00PM
