Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 21st, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Loose Dry.

Avalanche Canada TJ, Avalanche Canada

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Cold temperatures have led to limited field observation. If you are going out in the cold - go forth cautiously.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few loose dry avalanches noted December 19 on the Icefields parkway up to size 1.5 - mostly on solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

Continued cold weather is forming surface facets and generally weakening the snowpack. A persistent weak layer is down 25-35cm specific to tree line and below in sheltered areas. The bottom of the snowpack is weak consisting of basal facets with pockets of depth hoar. The snowpack height ranges from 40-100cm. Snowpack is unsupportive tree line and below.

Weather Summary

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -22 °C.

Light ridge wind.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Friday

Mainly cloudy.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -22 °C, High -13 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Alpine temperature inversion.

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -15 °C, High -8 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Alpine temperature inversion.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem includes our prominent facet surface hoar layer down 30-40cm. The lower snow pack is weak and faceted due to consistent cold temperatures. Any avalanches initiating in the mid or upper snowpack will likely step down to the "deep" layer on or near the ground.

Below tree line hazard is rated low but caution is advised in isolated steep open slopes where wind affected stiffer snow may be present on top of the weak layers described above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

Watch out for "facetlanches" on steep rocky terrain as the cold weather rots the snowpack. The weak nature of our snowpack makes it possible for these avalanches to gouge deeper in the snowpack and gain mass.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2022 4:00PM