Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
A weak overnight freeze tonight followed by 10-15mm of precipitation will rapidly increase the avalanche hazard throughout the day on Sunday.
Maligne Lake Rd will be closed tomorrow due to wet loose avalanche conditions. The Icefields Parkway will be closed from 15:00-20:00h for avalanche control. Check AB 511 for road status updates and be sure to confirm the Icefields Parkways is open before planning any travel Sunday PM- Monday.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few natural wet loose avalanches up to size 2 were observed yesterday in the Stutfield glacier drainage and in the Fryatt area. Limited visibility near Parkers Ridge today.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Sunday's precipitation will continue to build wind slabs in the alpine but will transition to rain at lower elevations. On Saturday, the surface snow was moist up to 2000m. Under this, a sun crust exists at all elevations on solar aspects. The mid-pack consists of multiple layers of dense wind effected snow, sun crusts, and facets. Depth hoar and basal facets make up the base of the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Sunday
Periods of snow.
Accumulation: 15 cm.
Ridge wind southwest: 25 km/h gusting to 65 km/h.
Freezing level: 2200 metres.
Monday
Flurries.
Accumulation: 10 cm.
Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 70 km/h.
Freezing level: 1800 metres.
Tuesday
Flurries.
Accumulation: 8 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -9 °C, High -3 °C.
Ridge wind west: 10-30 km/h.
Freezing level: 1700 metres.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind or rain.
- If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Weak overnight freezes, warm temperatures, and some rain / wet snow will keep this problem at the top of our list at tree line and below. Wet loose avalanches will likely step-down to our basal facets in steep terrain resulting in large avalanches
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Storm Slabs
Additional precipitation with strong SW winds will rapidly build storm slabs while adding to our wind slab problem on lee and cross-loaded features. This problem may extend into tree line if freezing levels are lower then current weather forecast predicts.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snowpack is inherently weak with well-developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Storm /Wind slabs or wet loose avalanches could trigger the deep persistent slab resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5