Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 25th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
MW,
Avalanche Canada
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity was observed on the Icefields parkway.
Snowpack Summary
Strong winds have stripped exposed terrain in the alpine and at tree-line. Continued wind slab development in leeward terrain. The snowpack is 45-80cm deep and is weak and facetted throughout. Basal weaknesses are a combo of large facets and chains of depth hoar.
An Ice Climbing Conditions report is available here.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://www.avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. SW wind 15-25 km/h. Freezing level: 1800m..
Thursday
Cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 4 cm. Ridge wind SW 15 km/h gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level: 1500m.
Friday
Mainly cloudy. Ridge wind SW 10 km/h. Freezing level: 1700m.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous strong winds have stripped exposed alpine and tree-line terrain, creating wind slabs in cross-loaded and lee features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
You must keep this basal layer on your radar as triggering is possible in some features, like approaching or moving between pitches on ice climbs. Be cautious in steep terrain if you find yourself standing on the surface and not wallowing in facets, that's the problem slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 26th, 2023 4:00PM
