Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 6th, 2020 5:46PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
Darren Vonk,
Parks Canada
Assess the bond of the new storm snow before stepping into bigger terrain. Submitting a MIN Report is a great way for avalanche forecasters to get more details of the snowpack.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Friday night into Saturday will see an additional 15cm of snow. Temperatures finally cooling to -20 on Sunday and slightly warming through out the coming week. We can expect light winds with the incoming snow, A moderate to strong Westerly flow will follow the storm.
More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast
Snowpack Summary
35cm of recent new snow overlies a variety of surfaces depending on aspect and elevation. The new snow is bonding well to the old surface. Wind slabs are continuously forming on lee aspects. The Columbia Icefields region has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern part forecast region is shallower and weaker.
Avalanche Summary
Teams were down south in the columbia Ice fields area doing avalanche control. Minimal Natural activity out of steep solar and limited control work to Sz2 in the storm interface.
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Confidence
Problems
Storm Slabs
Up to 35cm has fallen in this last storm. It appears to be bonding well.
- Use caution in alpine and open treeline lees. Recent snowfall has created storm slabs.
- The storm slab may be more sensitive to human triggering on solar aspects where it sits on a crust
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Wind effect and windslab are common through the region with varied reactivity. Increasing snow load will elevate the hazard in the short term.
- 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
Loose Dry
The incoming new snow will need some time to settle and stabilize.
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
- The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 7th, 2020 4:00PM
