Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 20th, 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.
GL,
Avalanche Canada
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
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
Recent variable winds means there could be wind slabs on all aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 21st, 2024 4:00PM
