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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 13th, 2023–Feb 14th, 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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
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.

10cm new snow fell overnight Sunday. This will make for good quality riding but will also hide previous wind slab in exposed tree line and alpine features. Natural avalanche activity may be tapering off but human triggering of large avalanches remains possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new observations on Monday.

Sunday's Icefield patrol was very poor visibility. 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 overnight on Sunday added to the 10cm since February 7 in the Maligne area. Previous strong to extreme southwest winds had stripped exposed terrain in the alpine and created wind slab in exposed tree line and alpine features. The new 10cm fell with little wind. Generally the mid and bottom of the snowpack is weak facets with depth hoar at the base. Height of snow is variable from 50 to 150cm.

Weather Summary

A surface ridge is establishing Tuesday and Wednesday. Expect a mix of sun and cloud with light northerly winds on Tuesday. Similar on Wednesday with wind increasing to moderate values from the west. A low pressure system is expected to bring light precipitation late Thursday into Friday with winds increasing to strong values from the west. Freezing level will remain at or near valley bottom in the Maligne area.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

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

Strong to extreme winds can push the new snow further down the start zone than one would normally encounter. These slabs will be difficult to visualize with the new 10cm of low density snow on top.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2