Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 14th, 2024–Dec 15th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
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.

Winds have increased speed into moderate, gusting strong range, ergo the potential for newly formed pockets of windslabs particularly in Alpine and exposed ridgetop Treeline lee slopes. This has the potential to increase the danger until the impacts of the stronger winds can be ascertained.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Saturday's Maligne field team reports cracking under skis on lee slopes and no new avalanches. Friday's patrol to Beauty creek did not observe any avalanches but visibility was poor.

Snowpack Summary

Incoming snow will fall during windy conditions, potentially forming a thin but reactive windslab. This may form overtop a surface hoar layer that has been found in sheltered Alpine areas down 40-60 cm's. At the bottom of the snowpack there are a variety of early season crusts with large faceted crystals above and below. Both of these layers have been producing sudden planar, compression test results in test profiles.

Weather Summary

Saturday night will be cloudy, flurries, -9 °C, and 20 gusting 50 km/hr SW winds. Sunday's weather is clouds, sun, flurries, -9 °C, 15-35km/hr SW winds. Monday to Wednesday is similar to Sunday but a few degrees colder overall.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Avalanche Problems

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 along time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Potential incoming snow and wind may develop into thin but reactive windslabs. Avoid wind loaded pockets and evaluate carefully before entering steep and unsupported terrain that could be affected by wind. Windslab avalanches may step down to deeper layers.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2