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Avalanche Forecast

Jan 21st, 2024–Jan 22nd, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

Monday's predicted warmer temperature and 1900m freezing level has the potential transform our surface and midpack into a more reactive slab condition. The support at the bottom of the snowpack is inherently weak. Dig down and test the reactivity of the snowpack before you commit to a line or feature.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol on Saturday or Sunday and nothing new reported. Thursday-Friday, several deep persistent slabs and persistent slab avalanches up to size 2.5 were observed in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

There is variable wind effect from previous few days of Northerly switching Southerly winds. Down 25cm is a weak layer that is producing results in snow pit tests. The bottom is weak Facets and Depth hoar. Tree line snowpack depth is 45-75cm. The snowpack is weak and largely unsupportive.

Weather Summary

Weather at Parkers ridge on Monday will be cloudy, flurries, -3 °C, light SW winds, and 1900 metres freezing level. Tuesday will be sunny, flurries, and 1600 metres freezing level. Wednesday will be similar but a few degrees cooler.

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Variable winds means there could be wind slabs on all aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The recent Icefield's avalanches are on North to East aspects down 30cm on a suspected Jan 4th surface hoar or facet layer. This layer is a concern if there is a supportive slab above it.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Triggering is possible in isolated features such as in steep rocky terrain. Watch for signs of whumphing and cracking.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3.5