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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 10th, 2023–Dec 11th, 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
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
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, Icefields, Jasper.

With strong winds on Saturday plus recent snow available for transport, be alert for dangerous avalanche conditions on specific terrain such as cross-loaded or wind-loaded slopes, Northwest to East aspects, and where local terrain directs windloading patterns. Early season hazards are just below the surface.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Sunday's Icefield patrol had limited visibility and the alpine was obscured. Three size 1-2 wind-slabs were observed in the Parker area where one would suspect the buried surface hoar was sheltered, present, and preserved. These appeared to have occurred on Thursday or Friday.

Snowpack Summary

30cm of new snow from last Tuesday formed a persistent slab overlying a surface hoar or facet layer or a melt-freeze crust on south and west aspects. The snowpack is 40-60cm deep with a weak facetted base. A rain crust exists below 1800m. Saturday's moderate to strong South winds spawned windslabs on lee aspects.

Weather Summary

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available from Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Monday to Wednesday will be sun, clouds, -8 °C, and light winds.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds were blowing 100km/hr on Saturday from the South. They whipped the snow into lee aspect windslabs and intense spindrifts were observed in the weeping wall area.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Failing on a buried preserved surface hoar, facet and melt-freeze crust layer roughly 20-50cm down. Slabs are stiffer and deeper where wind loading has occurred.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

The snow pack is very weak at the bottom. Recent storm snow and building windslabs is adding to its stress.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5