Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 29th, 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.
Benjamin Firth,
Parks Canada
As the winds increase, so will the hazard. Evaluate and choose terrain that avoids thin snow pack areas and/or that have been wind loaded
Summary
Weather Forecast
For Sunday, Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries with trace precip. Alpine temperature high -12 °C. Ridge wind west: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom. Monday, Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries up to 4cm new snow winds continuing to be moderate with a valley bottom freezing level.
Snowpack Summary
Up 20cm of new low density snow overlies a variety of surfaces including depending on aspect and elevation. The Columbia Icefields region has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern part of the forecast region has a generally shallower snow pack that is less bridged above the basal facets and depth hoar.
Avalanche Summary
Field patrols were conducted at Bald Hills and highway 93N. No new avalanches were observed or reported.
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Confidence
Wind effect is extremely variable on Monday
Problems
Wind Slabs
Triggering wind slab in shallow areas has the potential to initiate the deep persistent slab.
- Use caution in lee areas. New snowfall mixed with wind loading will created slabs.
- Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Skier triggering could occur in shallow snowpack areas or from large load. The consequences of triggering would be severe! Caution traveling, skiing and climbing in run out zones as avalanche have the potential to run full path
- Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 1st, 2020 4:00PM
