Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Maligne.
New snow has finally arrived! Great skiing can likely be found, but the avalanche hazard has increased in many areas, and you still need to watch out for those early season hazards.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity was observed on Friday by a team in the icefields area, but visibility was very poor.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 25cm of storm snow now sits on a significant weak layer combination of facets, surface hoar, and various crusts. Strong south west winds have redistributed this snow into wind slabs on leeward and cross-loaded terrain features in open areas at tree line and in the alpine. The height of the snow at tree line ranges from 50 to 90cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday
Flurries.
Accumulation: 7 cm.
Alpine temperature: High -8 °C.
Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday
Flurries.
Accumulation: 6 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -17 °C, High -8 °C.
Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 30 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -21 °C, High -17 °C.
Ridge wind light to 15 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong south west winds have, and will continue to form wind slabs in leeward and cross-loaded terrain features at tree line and above.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Dry
Use caution in steep and/or confined terrain features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2