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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 7th, 2023–Feb 8th, 2023

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cirrus-Wilson, Icefields.

Prevailing storm expected to produce another 15cm new snow overnight into Wednesday. Highway 93N closure in effect from Parker Summer to Saskatchewan Crossing with avalanche control planned for Wednesday. Check 511 for updates.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity noted on Tuesday's patrol but visibility was poor. Feb 5th Icefield patrol reported one large natural avalanche triggered by glacial ice.

Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20cm new snow fell Tuesday in the Icefields area with an additional 15cm possible overnight into Wednesday morning. This new snow adds to 20cm of settled snow from early February sitting on a weak melt freeze crust facet combo below 2100m. Generally, the mid and bottom of the snowpack is weak facets with depth hoar at the base. The snowpack ranges from 60 to 140cm.

Weather Summary

The tail end of a low pressure system is expected to bring an additional 15cm of new snow in the Icefields area overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Winds will be moderate to strong from the southwest and west - freezing level will remain at valley bottom. Clearing trend is expected on Wednesday with continued moderate to strong westerly winds.

Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
  • Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.