Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Winds were moderate to strong Friday night and Saturday which whipped the available snow into isolated pockets of windslabs. Consider heightened avalanche conditions on wind loaded or pressed terrain making human triggered avalanches possible. It is critical to identify features of concern and carefully evaluate terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Sunday's patrol to Mt. Kerkeslin did not notice any new avalanches. Saturday's Maligne field team reported cracking under skis 10m long on unsupported steep convex lee slopes but no natural avalanches were observed in the area. Friday's patrol to Beauty creek did not note any avalanches but visibility was poor.
Snowpack Summary
Friday-Saturday's moderate-strong winds blew the few cm's of new snow and available surface snow into isolated pockets of wind slab. The 7mm Surface Hoar that formed last week is likely flattened by winds but assume it could be preserved under a few centimeters of new snow in sheltered locations. An older buried surface hoar layer is found in sheltered alpine areas 40cm down. Lower down in the snowpack there are crusts with large faceted crystals above and below.
Weather Summary
Monday's weather will be clouds, sunny periods, no precipitation, -12 °C, and light winds. Tuesday could be similar with light flurries. Wednesday might bring 8 cm of snow and -13 to -6 °C.
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
Wind Slabs
Friday and Saturday's winds have formed pockets of windslab in isolated lee locations. They appear to be stubborn to initiate. Saturday's team observed shooting cracks from their skis at an alpine ridgetop lee feature in the Bald Hills area. Avoid wind loaded large unsupported terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
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