Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 28th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada Parks Canada, Avalanche Canada

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

Good skiing can be found in sheltered locations. Look out for wind slabs in immediate lees in steeper terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There was a size 1, and a size 2 wind slab observed on different features of Parkers ridge on December 27th.

Outside the park there have been recent reports of explosive results on the early season crusts producing avalanches up to size 2.5

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme winds have redistributed surface snow and scoured windward aspects. Sheltered locations may still hold 15cm of soft snow if winds did not get to it. In protected areas, a weak layer of 7mm Surface Hoar may be 10-30cm down. The mid pack is mostly made up of facets. At the bottom of the snowpack there are multiple early season crusts with facets above and below.

Weather Summary

SundayCloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -6 °C. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.Monday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -12 °C, High -8 °C. Light ridge wind. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C, High -10 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 10-25 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Avoid wind loaded unsupported terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for a long time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Dec 29th, 2024 4:00PM

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