Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Strong to extreme winds are likely stripping exposed features. This intense wind can create wind slabs in places you don't usually expect them.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Two large avalanches noted in the Maligne and Churchill Ranges in the alpine on east facing slopes on Wednesday. No Patrol on Thursday.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Strong to extreme winds are stripping exposed features and building cross loaded wind slabs in the alpine. Wind slab likely extend down into tree line. In sheltered locations 30cm of low density snow lies over a generally weak mid and bottom snowpack with facets and depth hoar at the base. The height of snow is variable from 50 to 150cm.
Weather Summary
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -13 °C.
Ridge wind west: 15-35 km/h.
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -15 °C, High -9 °C.
Ridge wind west: 15-35 km/h.
Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
- Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Southwest winds have created wind slabs in the alpine and tree line.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Large natural and explosive triggered avalanches in the last couple of days have run on this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3