Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 10th, 2025 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Parks Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Recent winds have come from a variety of directions.
Be on the lookout for wind slabs this weekend.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Natural windslabs avalanches have been observed around the icefields area to size 1 from east aspects in the alpine. Also, there have been several loose dry avalanches from steep rocky terrain across the region.
Snowpack Summary
5cm new snow at the icefields. Wind slabs have formed from moderate, gusting strong NW-W-SW winds. Currently, the snowpack is averaging 60-120cm in depth at the tree line. 10-30cm sits atop a weakening melt freeze crust and surface hoar layer from early December. The middle of the snowpack is facetted and there is a deep persistent layer at the base of the snowpack consisting of a decomposing melt freeze crust and depth hoar.
Weather Summary
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -9 °C.
Ridge wind northwest: 10-30 km/h.
SundayA mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -8 °C.
Ridge wind northwest: 10 km/h.
MondaySunny with cloudy periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -7 °C, High -1 °C.
Ridge wind northwest: 10-30 km/h.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds have come from the Northwest, West and Southwest. Many features could have wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 13th, 2025 4:00PM
