Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Additional snowfall and wind Monday evening - Tuesday will continue to build wind slabs in exposed terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No Avalanche activity was observed on Sunday. No field observations today.
Please consider submitting a MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
10cm of recent snowfall has been redistributed by moderate wind developing a wind slab in exposed terrain. Surface wind slab/snow sits over a hard layer created by previous wind-effect. The rest of the snowpack is weak and faceted with well-developed depth hoar at the base. Sheltered areas have an average snow depth of ~45-75 cm.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Flurries. 7 cm. SW wind 15-35km/h
Tuesday
Flurries. Accumulation: 6 cm. Ridge wind SW 15 km/h gusting to 45.
Wednesday
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 5 cm. Alpine High -10 °C. Light Wind.
Thursday
Cloudy with sunny periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine high -30 °C.
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use caution when approaching steep and rocky terrian.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Loose Dry
Cold temperatures and additional snowfall the evening will increase the likelihood of dry loose avalanches in extreme terrain. Be aware of your overhead hazard and exposure to consequence.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
You must keep this basal layer on your radar as triggering is possible in isolated features, such as steep rocky terrain where you find yourself standing on the surface and not wallowing in facets, that's the problem slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5