Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 16th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet, Persistent Slabs and Cornices.
Barb Sharp,
The Icefields Parkway is closed for avalanche control, with an anticipated opening of Thursday March 18th. Check 511 Alberta for updates.
Continue to pay attention to rising temperatures and solar radiation which can increase the avalanche hazard.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -9 C, High -6 C. Ridge wind southwest: 10km/h. Freezing level: 1400m.
Thursday: Mainly cloudy. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -10 C, High -3 C. Ridge wind southwest: 15-35 km/h. Freezing level: 1800 m.
Snowpack Summary
Sunny skies and warm temperatures have created crusts and moist snow on all aspects at tree line and below and into the alpine on solar aspects. There is widespread wind scouring to rock in exposed alpine features. The middle of the snowpack is supportive in deep areas but weak in shallow spots.
Avalanche Summary
Loose wet avalanches continue to occur on East through West aspects. 3 size 2.5 avalanches were observed on North to Northeast aspects in the alpine, triggered by cornice releases and stepping down to the February persistent weak layer.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain
Problems
Loose Wet
Watch out for solar heating (sun) and daytime warming to trigger avalanches, especially from steep rocky terrain.
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Weak facets buried on Feb 20th. It is prudent to keep this on your radar with warmer temperatures as reactivity may increase. Cornices will have the potential to fail and trigger slabs below.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Cornices failures have been observed and are triggering avalanches on the Feb 20th FC layer.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 17th, 2021 4:00PM
