Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 11th, 2023–Feb 12th, 2023

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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, Fryatt, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

The snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy in this region. We expect the avalanche hazard to rise with the incoming weather system.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A size 2.5 deep persistent slab just south of Marmot, as well as a couple wind slabs up to size 2 in the Churchill Slide Paths area, were observed from 93N on Saturday, .

Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of new snow over the last few days has been redistributed by strong SW winds, creating wind slabs in the alpine and into exposed tree line. A weak melt freeze crust facet combo down 25cm below 2100m is showing sudden collapse results in snow pit tests. Generally, the bottom of the snowpack is weak facets and depth hoar.

Weather Summary

A low pressure system moving through BC will bring rising temperatures and strong winds on Sunday, with most precipitation beginning Sunday night.

Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Avalanches initiating in the upper snowpack are likely to step down to this layer and gain significant mass.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are present with the recent snow in the alpine and exposed tree line features. Watch for wind slab development on top of the Jan 27th melt freeze crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Loose Wet

Watch out for loose wet avalanches initiating on solar aspects at lower elevations as temperatures rise.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5