Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 20th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada GL, Avalanche Canada

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A couple of recent large avalanches along the Icefields Parkway are a reminder that if there is enough snow to ride there is enough snow to slide. Dig down and test the reactivity of the snowpack before you commit to a line or feature.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol on Saturday and nothing new reported. Thursday-Friday, several deep persistent slabs and persistent slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed in the alpine. As well as loose dry avalanches up to size 2 in very steep rocky alpine terrain with some scrubbing to ground.

Snowpack Summary

There is variable wind effect from previous northerly winds. Down 25cm is a weak layer that is producing results in snow pit tests. Tree line snowpack depth is an average of 45-75cm. The snowpack is weak and largely unsupportive.

Weather Summary

Sunday will be cloudy, flurries, -3 °C, light SW winds, and 1800 metres freezing level. Monday and Tuesday will be similar.

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent variable winds means there could be wind slabs on all aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The recent Icefield's avalanches are on North to East aspects down 30cm on a suspected Jan 4th surface hoar or facet layer. This layer is only a concern if there is a supportive slab above it.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Triggering is possible in isolated features such as in steep rocky terrain. Watch for signs of whumphing and cracking.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3.5

Valid until: Jan 21st, 2024 4:00PM

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