Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 4th, 2022 1:30PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Dry and Persistent Slabs.
JM,
Avalanche Canada
Early season conditions still exist in the Icefields Parkway. Ski with caution as the depth of snow is variable and shallow in many areas. Be on the lookout for wind slab in the Alpine and pay attention to signs of instability such as cracking and whumpfing as there is a persistent weak layer buried 25-30 cm below the surface.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There have been a few Loose Dry avalanche observed over the past 2 days. These avalanches are isolated to steep rocky areas. These avalanches have been Size 1 or smaller. Tuesday
Field teams observed no new avalanche activity in the last 48 hrs. Two old Loose Dry, Size 1 avalanches where noted in the Parkers Ridge area.
Snowpack Summary
In the Alpine, previous surface snow has been redistributed by winds from a variety of directions creating pockets of wind slab up to 20 cm thick near ridge top and on cross loaded features. There is a buried layer down 25-30cm that consists of Surface Hoar, Facets, and Sun Crust. Snow depth ranges from 40-100cm.
Weather Summary
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -11 °C.
Ridge wind northwest: 10-25 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
TuesdayCloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -22 °C, High -17 °C.
Ridge wind west: 15-25 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
Use caution in steep and/or confined terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
Limited observation in the Alpine. Marmot Basin Ski area reports surface hoar extending into some alpine features. Solar crust on south aspects is also of concern. Dig and assess this layer before commiting to terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 5th, 2022 4:00PM
