Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 11th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.
deryl kelly,
Loading happening at all elevations and aspects. Remain cautious as you travel in the back-country. Great riding can be found throughout the region.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Overnight Saturday: Flurries. Accumulation: 7 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -15 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.
Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -14 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 45 km/h.
Snowpack Summary
Parkway seeing between 10cm, and up to 20cm HST redistributed by mod SW winds at ridge top. Incremental loading at TL and BTL will create widespread variable soft slab. This will remain an active hazard and is most concerning as you transition into steep open areas, areas often paired with terrain traps.
Avalanche Summary
Heavy snowfall and limited visibility reported by forecasting team in the Icefields today.
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Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and moderate to strong SW winds building new windslab in lee and crossloaded features. Watch for hollow sounds and cracking. Consider testing smaller slopes before committing to larger features; windslabs could initiate deep layers.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
Most concerning BTL is at the transitions into open areas around Parkers Ridge, Sunwapta Pass. In the Maligne valley, the hazard will build with more snowfall over the week.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created storm slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Heavy down flow observed in the Wilson region. Ice Climbers, avoid all overhead exposure.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 12th, 2021 4:00PM
