Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Wintery conditions continue through Monday. The following days will gradually be warming up with sun and less overnight freezes. WATCH OUT if the sun pokes out increasing trigger-ability particularly on steep solar aspects.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Sunday's Maligne-Bald Hills patrol noted no new avalanches but visibility was limited to below mountain tops. No patrol occurred to the Icefields' area.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10cm of snow with variable wind effect overlies a strong mid-pack above 2400m on shaded aspects. Sunny aspects, and everywhere below 2400m, starts in the morning as a supportive surface crust that breaks down with solar input and rising daytime temperatures.
Weather Summary
Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada
Sunday night will be clear, flurries, -7 °C, and light gusting moderate West winds. Monday is forecasted to be sun, cloud, -2 °C, light winds, and 2100m freezing level. The prediction for Tuesday will be similar to Monday except -7 °C to 0 °C, light winds, and 2300m freezing level. Wednesday will bring 2400m freezing level and isolated flurries.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
- Minimize your exposure time below cornices.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Maligne valley received 10cm with gusting moderate winds whipping the snow around. Be suspicious of pockets of wind slab resting on a slippery crust at ridgetops or alpine features. Small slides can have nasty consequences if it involves terrain traps. The Icefields received less snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
This problem is unreactive in the morning and increases sensitivity with afternoon warmth and sun. It is critical to evaluate the degree of overnight freeze and relate it to how quickly this problem can activate during the day.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Cornices
Avoid direct exposure to cornices as the temperatures rise. Cornice failures are a bad situation anytime.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3