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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 16th, 2023–Jan 17th, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Brazeau, Maligne, Marmot, Pyramid.

This forecasting sub-region has received less snow than the Icefields Parkway leading to a slightly lower danger rating for this zone in the alpine.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed over the weekend on Maligne Lake road.

If you're out in the hills, don't forget to post to the MIN. Every bit of information helps!

Snowpack Summary

Maligne valley received a trace of snow and overall remains unsupportive with less depth than the Icefields. There is a crust below 1800m. A layer of surface hoar and facets is down 20-40cm in sheltered areas. Large facets and depth hoar comprise the bottom portion of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Tuesday - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -9 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Wednesday - Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -9 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Thursday - A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -10 °C.

Ridge wind west: 10 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.