Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 10th, 2023 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.
MW,
Avalanche Canada
Solar warming combined with a significant temperature swing of up to 20 °C throughout the day is stressing the already weak snowpack.Ice climbers should avoid sun-exposed climbs during peak warming and be aware of potential overhead hazard.
Shaded, North facing slopes will have better skiing at treeline and below.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control using explosives on Hwy 93N resulted in few wind slabs and numerous loose dry avalanches up to size 2 on Wednesday, March 8.
No new natural avalanche activity has observed on Maligne Road or Icefields Parkway.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
A sun crust has formed on solar slopes at tree line and below. Wind sheltered areas and sun-protected slopes have 20 to 40cm of low density facetted snow. There is extensive wind effect at tree line and above from previous SW winds.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak and faceted with depth hoar lingering at the base. Snowpack depth varies from 60 to 160cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -9 °C.
Ridge wind south: 10-20 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries.
Accumulation: 5 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C, High -8 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15-35 km/h.
Monday
Periods of snow.
Accumulation: 16 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -5 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.
Freezing level rising to 1600 metres.
Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous moderate to strong winds from the SW have formed wind slabs in exposed areas at tree line and in the alpine.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Use caution is thin snowpack areas where human traffic may be able to trigger this layer. Large triggers such as cornice fall or wind slab avalanches may also trigger this layer resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 11th, 2023 4:00PM
