Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 1st, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Parks Canada Benjamin Firth, Parks Canada

Winds will increase Sunday night into Monday. Avoid terrain with wind loading and/or thin spots where you could trigger deeper layers.

Summary

Weather Forecast

For Monday, Flurries. Accumulation: 6 cm. Alpine temperature: High -7 °C. Ridge wind west: 25 km/h gusting to 60 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom. Tuesday, Periods of snow. Accumulation: 16 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -8 °C, High -6 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 65 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Up 15cm of storm snow overlies a variety of surfaces depending on aspect and elevation. New wind slabs forming on lee aspects. The Columbia Icefields region has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern part of the forecast region has a generally shallower snow pack that is less bridged.

Avalanche Summary

Road patrol conducted on highway 93N. No new avalanches were observed or reported.

Used daily by Forecasters, The Mountain Information Network is your way to share your field trip observations and helps contribute to the daily avalanche bulletin.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Triggering wind slab in shallow areas has the potential to initiate the deep persistent slab.

  • Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.
  • Use caution in lee areas. New snowfall mixed with wind loading will created slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Skier triggering could occur in shallow snowpack areas or from large load. The consequences of triggering would be severe! Caution traveling, skiing and climbing in run out zones as avalanche have the potential to run full path

  • Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
  • Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 2nd, 2020 4:00PM