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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 4th, 2022–Dec 5th, 2022
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
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

Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

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.

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.

Tuesday

Cloudy 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.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Dry

Use caution in steep and/or confined terrain features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

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: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5