Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 3rd, 2024–Jan 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.

A few flurries are unlikely to change the avalanche hazard. Continue to watch for the lurking deep persistent problem we continue to see sporadic avalanche activity on.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 avalanche was noted on Tuesday on Mt Athabasca's North Glacier below the ramp. The avalanche ran to glacier ice likely on facets.

Snowpack Summary

Trace of snow is expected througout the region. Extensive previous wind effect throughout exposed terrain. Sheltered areas have an average snow depth of ~45-65 cm. The snowpack continues to facet.

Weather Summary

Thursday

Cloudy with scattered flurries.

Accumulation: 5 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -6 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15-35 km/h.

Friday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -8 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 40 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.

Problems

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.