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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 6th, 2024–Jan 7th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

15cm of new snow at Parkers Ridge has improved the ski quality on the Icefields Parkway. Keep in mind that our low snowpack means rocks, stumps, and other hazards may be hidden just below the surface.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Limited visibility on the Icefields Parkway Saturday. No new avalanches were observed at the tree line elevation today.

Please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of new snow has been redistributed by Moderate wind developing a soft wind slab in exposed terrain. Fresh Wind slab/snow sits over a previously wind-pressed layer that is supportive to ski's. The rest of the snowpack is weak and faceted with well-developed depth hoar at the base. Sheltered areas have an average snow depth of ~45-75 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. No precipitation. Ridge wind W: 10-20 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom

Monday

Cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Ridge wind SW 15 km/h

Tuesday

Flurries. Accumulation: 6 cm. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution when approaching steep and rocky terrian.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

This storm arrived with variable wind direction so be on the lookout for reverse loading.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

You must keep this basal layer on your radar as triggering is possible in isolated features, such as steep rocky terrain where you find yourself standing on the surface and not wallowing in facets, that's the problem slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5