Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 1st, 2024–Dec 4th, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Alpine ridgetops can have small wind slabs and other spots have been stripped of snow. There is good riding to be had in sheltered areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Saturday's patrol to Beauty creek did not observe any natural activity but visibility was poor. Sunday's patrol to Bald hills did not observe any natural activity and visibility was good. The field team ski cut released a size 1 windslab at ridgetop.

Snowpack Summary

15 cm of low density snow in sheltered areas overlies a faceted midpack. The November 20th surface hoar layer was found down 60 cm in one pit in the alpine. At treeline there is a crust down 30 cm. The October crust is widespread and is found near the base of the snow pack and has facets above and below. Snow depth is roughly 70 cm at treeline and tapers rapidly below.

Weather Summary

Monday will bring sun, cloud, no new snow, -4 °C, light West winds, and 1600m freezing level. Expect for Tuesday clouds, sun, no new snow, -3 °C, light winds, and 1700m freezing level. Wednesday and Thursday are flurries, light winds, and warmer temperatures at -1 °C and 2200m freezing level.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.