Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Nov 15th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs, Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
Timothy Johnson,
It's hard to resist all of this new snow is falling but be patient and wait for the danger to drop before committing to avalanche terrain. The Icefields Parkway is closed for avalanche control on Tuesday Nov 16th. For highway closures check 511AB.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud.
Alpine temperature: High -12 C.
Ridge wind west: 15-35 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods.
Alpine temperature: Low -17 C, High -13 C.
Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud.
Alpine temperature: Low -14 C, High -11 C.
Ridge wind west: 10 km/h.
Snowpack Summary
Around 60cm of new snow at Parker Ridge in the past 72 hours. Moderate to strong SW winds are likely building wind slabs in the alpine and exposed treeline. This new storm snow is sitting on a variable snowpack depending on aspect and elevation with a melt freeze crust up to around 2500m, weak faceted snow near the ground and old melt freeze crusts
Avalanche Summary
There has been no clear alpine or treeline observations due to poor visibility in the last 48hrs. There is a MIN report of a size 2 slab avalanche at Parker Ridge. It is likely that there is a widespread avalanche cycle occurring in the alpine.
Confidence
Due to the quality of field observations
Problems
Storm Slabs
There are public reports of ski triggered storm slabs down into the trees.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Ongoing ridge top winds are likely creating wind slabs in the alpine and open tree line
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Even small avalanches in exposed terrain can have high consequences.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep, confined or exposed terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Nov 16th, 2021 4:00PM
