Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 25th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
jeff andrews,
Winds changing to southerly and increasing in strength on Saturday. Main concern is wind slab in the Alpine and open Treeline; may see an increase in sensitivity with additional load on Sunday.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Saturday: Isolated flurries with trace. Alpine High -8 C. Ridge wind SW 15-25 km/h. Freezing level valley bottom.
Sunday: Flurries 10cm. Alpine Low -10 C; High -6 C. Ridge wind SW 20 gust 55 km/h. Freezing level 1400m.
Monday: Scattered flurries 5cm. Alpine Low -11 C; High -3 C. Ridge wind SW 10-20 km/h. Freezing level valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
10-15cm from last weekend has been redistributed by northerly winds causing reverse loading in many locations with wind slab development in Alpine and exposed terrain at tree line. A weak temperature crust present up to 1900m on all aspects with a sun crust on solar aspects up to 2800m. Basal facets & depth hoar found throughout the forecast area.
Avalanche Summary
A few natural size 1 dry loose avalanches observed and reported through the MIN on the Icefields Parkway Tuesday and Wednesday - most occurring in steep terrain. No patrol today.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs sit over a variety of surfaces including old wind slabs, temperature crust and sun crust making reactivity variable. Be extra cautious in areas where wind slabs sits over a hard layer.
- Watch hollow sounds on unsupported windslabs.
- Be careful with reverse loaded pockets of wind slab at ridgeline.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
This problem is specific to steep, wind protected terrain. Expect more dry loose activity in areas where recent snowfall sits over a hard surface.
- Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.
- Be careful of loose dry sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 26th, 2022 4:00PM
