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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 13th, 2025–Jan 14th, 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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
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.

Latest northwesterly winds deposited wind slabs in unusual places, causing reverse loading in the alpine. Identify wind-impacted snow by watching for sudden changes in surface texture and hardness.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A couple low elevation size 1.5 loose dry avalanches were noted Saturday at highway level Coleman cliffs. Marmot basin explosive triggered a size 2 to ground on a North aspect at tree line on Friday. The slope was not previously controlled.

Snowpack Summary

5cm new snow at the icefields Friday night. The snowpack is 60-120cm in depth at 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

Expect sun, cloud, no new snow, ridgetop winds of 30- 40 km/h at ridge tops, and -5 °C in the alpine on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday will see strong westerly winds shifting to southwesterly and precipitation beginning on Wednesday and most amounts expected to arrive on Thursday, accumulating to up to 15 cms by Friday morning.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Last 48 hours recorded moderate to strong winds from the northwest. These winds had the potential to create winds slabs in unusual places. Many high elevation features could have wind slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

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

Expected Size: 1 - 3