Avalanche Forecast
Natural avalanche activity in this region has been sparse, but the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Conservative terrain choices are still strongly recommended.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
One large avalanche occurred in the alpine on an east facing slope in the Churchill range on Wednesday.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10cm of new snow over the last few days has been redistributed by strong SW winds, creating wind slabs in the alpine and into exposed tree line. A weak melt freeze crust facet combo down 25cm below 2100m is showing sudden collapse results in snow pit tests. Generally, the bottom of the snowpack is weak facets and depth hoar.
Weather Summary
A short break in the weather on Saturday before precipitation, rising temperatures, and very strong winds arrive on Sunday.
Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. 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
Wind slabs are present with the recent snow in the alpine and exposed tree line features. Watch for wind slab development on top of the Jan 27th melt freeze crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2