Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Keep your overhead hazard to a minimum. Large avalanches running to ground in the alpine have been observed in Jasper as a result of the new snow and winds.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several avalanches were observed along the Churchill Range on east faces in alpine up to size 2.5 and running to ground. Some of these avalanches were caused by falling cornices.
Snowpack Summary
15-20 cm of snow fell on Wednesday at the Parker Ridge Area. The 7mm Surface Hoar that formed last week is likely flattened by winds but assume it could be preserved under new snow in sheltered locations. The mid and lower snow pack has multiple layers of surface hoar in sheltered terrain, melt freeze crusts and facets.
Weather Summary
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -4 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15-35 km/h.
Freezing level: 1600 metres.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -4 °C, High -3 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 10-30 km/h.
Freezing level: 1800 metres.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Small avalanches may cause climbers to fall or bury belayers and gear.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and strong winds have created new wind slabs. Avoid wind loaded large unsupported terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for along time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3