Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Good skiing can be found in sheltered locations. Look out for wind slabs in immediate lees in steeper terrain.
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.
TuesdayCloudy 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.
Avalanche Problems
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
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