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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 10th, 2024–Dec 13th, 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
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
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.

There is still good skiing to be found in areas sheltered from the wind.

The crust and facet layers at the bottom of the snowpack are still lurking. It's a good time to dig down to them, and see what you are skiing on.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

One natural size 2 avalanche, failing on the early season crust, and two natural size 2 windslabs were observed on southwest and south aspects on Monday, December 9th near the Icefields.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm recent storm snow fell over the weekend. Moderate to strong winds at treeline and above have redistributed the fresh snow into windslabs. There is a surface hoar layer that has been found in sheltered Alpine areas down 40-60 cm's. At the bottom of the snowpack there are a variety of early season crusts with large faceted crystals above and below. Both of these layers have been producing sudden planar, compression test results in test profiles.

Weather Summary

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace amounts of precipitation. Alpine temperature: High -4 °C. Winds at ridgeline 10 km/h from the west.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods. No precipitation. Alpine temperature: Low -9 °C, High -4 °C. Winds at ridgeline 10 km/h from the west.

Friday

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Trace amounts of precipitation. Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -8 °C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Avalanche Problems

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 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Recent winds have created windslabs in leeward features. Avoid wind loaded pockets and evaluate carefully before entering steep and unsupported terrain that could be affected by wind. Windslab avalanches may step down to deeper layers.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2