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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 5th, 2022–Dec 6th, 2022
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
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
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, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

Early season conditions still exist throughout the forecast region. Ski with caution as the depth of snow is variable in all areas. Watch for signs of instability such as cracking and whumpfing; there is a persistent weak layer buried 25-30 cm below the surface.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed or reported. Public MIN posts and Field teams reporting Nov. surface hoar evidence in sheltered BTL locations.

Snowpack Summary

In the Alpine, previous surface snow has been redistributed by winds from a variety of directions creating pockets of wind slab up to 20 cm thick near ridge top and on cross-loaded features. There is a buried layer down 25-30cm that consists of Surface Hoar, Facets, and Sun Crust. Snow depth ranges from 40-100cm.

Weather Summary

Cloudy with scattered flurries.

Accumulation: 4 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -15 °C.

Ridge wind west: 15-25 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -16 °C, High -13 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Dry

Use caution in steep and/or confined terrain features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

Few observations were available to confirm the sensitivity. Assume isolated areas with varied sensitivity with the new additional load.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Limited observation in the Alpine. Marmot Basin Ski area reports surface hoar extending into some alpine features. Solar crust on south aspects is also of concern. Dig and assess this layer before committing to terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5