Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 3rd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
MW,
Avalanche Canada
Colder temperatures have helped to improve snowpack stability but it may still be possible to trigger a persistent or deep persistent slab. Our snowpack height is extremely variable avoiding shallow rocky start zones is unrealistic at the moment.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Natural avalanche activity has tapered off with no new avalanche activity observed on the Icefields Parkway or Maligne Lake Road on Friday or Saturday.
Previous widespread avalanche activity over the past week produced numerous natural avalanches at all elevations. This included some impressive avalanches up to size 3.5 at higher elevations, as well as loose wet up to size 2.
Snowpack Summary
A 1-6 cm crust exists up to 2500m. A sun crust can be found on solar aspects at higher elevations as well.
Persistent weak layers, formed in early January, are down 20-30cm in sheltered areas. The bottom of the snowpack is made up of well-developed facets and depth hoar creating our deep persistent problem.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Sunday Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Alpine High -6 °C. Light East Wind 10-20km/h. Freezing level 1500m.
Monday Cloudy with sunny periods. Light ridge wind. Freezing level valley bottom.
Tuesday Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace precipitation.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Stick to non-avalanche terrain or small features with limited consequence.
Problems
Persistent Slabs
This layer is concerning when there is a cohesive slab overlying the January Facets and Surface Hoar layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Human and natural triggering of these basal facets remains possible.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 4th, 2024 4:00PM
