Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 23rd, 2025–Jan 24th, 2025
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
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.

Better skiing might be found around tree line after a few days of wind, affecting a variety of aspects and elevations.

Be mindful of wind slabs in unexpected places.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed during road patrol from Jasper to Saskatchewan Crossing January 22nd.

A couple of wind slabs up to size two were observed on Sunwapta Peak and Nigel Peak on the 19th.

Avalanche control near Parkers on Friday Jan 17th produced slab avalanches up to size 2.5. These avalanches stepped down to the Deep Persistent layer.

Snowpack Summary

Widespread wind effect in the TL and Alpine regions. Wind slabs sit on a very weak faceted mid pack. At the bottom of the snowpack are the early season crusts, which are often surrounded by large depth hoar. The snowpack is 70-130 cm in depth at treeline. Valley bottom travel is difficult in the weak, loose facets.

Weather Summary

FridaySunny with cloudy periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -12 °C.

Ridge wind northwest: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.

Saturday

Sunny with cloudy periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -5 °C.

Ridge wind northwest: 10-20 km/h.

Sunday

Sunny with cloudy periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -5 °C, High 1 °C.

Ridge wind northwest: 10 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent winds have built wind slabs in the alpine and treeline. Winds have been variable in direction so watch for reverse loading. Avalanches may step down to the Deep Persistent Layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

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 a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3