Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 29th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
GL,
Avalanche Canada
The weak base of our snowpack will persist even when the signs indicate an improving trend. Maintain your discipline to not push into bigger terrain. Human triggered avalanches are possible with large avalanches in isolated areas.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Sunday's Icefield patrol had excellent visibility. Some Windslabs and Deep Persistent Slabs were noted in the alpine but estimated to be 24 to 48 hours old. No field patrol occurred on Saturday. A large avalanche was observed on Thursday in the Icefields starting in the Alpine, running on deep facets, and travelled far into treeline.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20cm of soft settled new snow from Jan 27th overlies a melt-freeze crust up to 2000m. Windslabs are present in the alpine and exposed treeline locations. Generally, the bottom of the snowpack is weak with facets and depth hoar. The snowpack ranges from 50 to 120cm.
Weather Summary
Monday to Wednesday will be in the -10 to -15 Celsius range, sun, clouds, flurries, and light Westerly winds.
Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://www.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.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Avalanches initiating in the upper snowpack are likely to step down to this layer and gain significant mass.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
North winds at ridge top created wind slabs on Southerly slopes which don't typically see wind loading. The wind slabs from previous moderate to strong SW winds are also still present.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 30th, 2023 4:00PM
