Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 11th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.
Tereza Turecka,
The Icefields region remains winter conditions for now. Good travel and ski conditions are found in sheltered locations. Be cognisant of traveling through lower elevations where large avalanches from above could travel far.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: High -7 °C. Ridge wind east: 10-20 km/h. Freezing level: 1400 metres.Tuesday: Sunny with cloudy periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -2 °C. Ridge wind light to 20 km/h. Freezing level: 2100 metres.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm of new snow arrived since Wednesday night at Parkers ridge with much less further North and South. The midpack is firm snow over weak basal facets and depth hoar near the ground.
Avalanche Summary
Saturday's Icefield patrol observed several cross loaded features avalanche on ALP W facing slopes up to size 2.5 likely from Friday. Friday's explosive control work on Parkers slabs produced two size 2.5 hard windslabs burying the road 2m deep. Deep persistent slabs up to size 3 still occurring within the bulletin region in the alpine.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday
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
Loose Dry
Suspect to be more of an issue in Marmot Basin back country, where snow accumulation has been most significant in the last couple days. Dry loose are less likely to be an issue in the Icefields area.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 12th, 2021 4:00PM
