Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 3rd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
MW,
Avalanche Canada
The SPAW has been extended until March 7. Wind slab development will stress our persistent and deep persistent problems. Keep it conservative and avoid overhead hazard.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A widespread avalanche cycle occurred last week as a result of the Feb 29th storm. Natural avalanches up to size 3.5 have been observed in the Icefields/Parker Zone on all aspects in the alpine and the tree line running to the end of avalanche paths. Likewise avalanche control along the Icefields Parkway on Friday had several sympathetic avalanche releases from a single explosion.
No new avalanche activity observed on the Icefields Parkway or Malign Lake Road today.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 50 cm of new snow fell during last weeks storm with strong winds, creating wind slabs. Wind slabs sit over a layer of faceted snow above a 1-3cm thick crust that is down 35-60 cm. The mid-pack is faceted with basal depth hoar and well developed facets near ground. HS ranges from 80 to 140cm.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
The next three days will be cold with a mix of sun and cloud. Trace amounts of snow on Tuesday. Temps between -15 and -24°C. Ridge wind West 10 -30 km/h.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong winds that accompanied the +50cm storm have produced wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. Moderate - strong westerly wind throughout the week will continue to develop this problem
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This problem layer is the crust and facets created by early February's warm spell. It is down 30-70 cm in the snowpack and is a 1-10 cm thick crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Tickling this deep layer would result in a high consequence avalanche. Any avalanche in the upper snowpack has the potential to step down to the base of the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 5th, 2024 4:00PM
