Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Evaluate snow and terrain carefully to identify features of concern. Natural avalanches are unlikely yet human triggered avalanches remain possible. Monitor the overnight freeze and the afternoon warming patterns. The sun and warm air can rapidly increase avalanche triggering potential.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Friday's Icefield patrol did not note any new avalanches. Recently large cornice failures and small windslabs have been observed at alpine elevations. Earlier this week a size 3 deep persistent slab avalanche was observed in the alpine on a N-NW aspect.
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds last Wednesday with some new snow formed windslabs. The upper snowpack at treeline and below is a series of melt-freeze crusts and moist snow. The mid-pack and lower snowpack is dry, faceted and weak. The alpine and treeline snowpack on north aspects remains dry. Average treeline snow depth is around 100-150cm at the icefields area.
Weather Summary
Parker's ridge weather for Saturday night will be mainly clear, -11 °C, and light winds. Expect Sunday to bring sun, cloud, -5 °C, and light winds. Monday will bring flurries and -7 to 0 °C. Tuesday could have flurries and 6cm of snow.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Windslabs were formed on Wednesday from south winds and recent snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Small avalanches have the potential to step down to this deeper problem layer, made up of buried weaker facets.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 4
Deep Persistent Slabs
This avalanche problem remains difficult to trigger, but will result in a large destructive avalanche if initiated.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 4