Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 22nd, 2021 4:48PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Deryl Kelly,
Very stiff windslab proving difficult to initiate but, propagating widely in connected features. Be extremely cautious at all elevations.
Icefields Parkway will remain closed to allow for clearing debris.
Check Alberta 511 for latest updates.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Low pressure will continue to produce scattered flurries across the Rockies with trace to light snow amounts. Ridge top winds westerly 30 km/h veering to northwest, 20 in the afternoon. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate to strong ridge top winds from the SW have created wind slabs or hard surface conditions in alpine and tree line features. In sheltered areas the top 30-60cm is faceted snow over a supportive mid-pack where the snowpack is deeper. Thin snowpack areas are weak, un-supportive, and facetted.
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control on the Icefields Parkway produced results up to size 3 in the Parkers Ridge zone. These slabs initially proved to be very stubborn to initiate but, propagated long and deep.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Severe SW winds have stripped, and transported snow from many areas in the alpine and treeline.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Loose dry, spindrift avalanches remain a problem for ice climbers
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Caution in thin snowpack areas where triggering is more likely. This is a low probability but high consequence problem.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2021 4:00PM
