Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 7th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
TJ,
Avalanche Canada
There is a persistent weak layer buried 25-35 cm below the surface. Sensitivity of this layer may increase with rising temperatures and increasing winds. Also watch out for building wind slabs in the alpine and down into tree line.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed on a road patrol to the Parker Ridge area on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10cm of new snow in the Maligne and townsite area; up to 5cm in the Icefields area in the last two days. Strong south west winds are creating wind slabs in the alpine and tree line with this new snow. Tree line and below there is a buried layer down 30-35cm that consists of surface hoar, facets, and sun crust depending on aspect and location. Snow depth ranges from 45-110cm.
Weather Summary
Thursday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -10 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -15 °C, High -11 °C.
Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Saturday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -16 °C, High -9 °C.
Ridge wind south: 10-20 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New wind slabs are forming with the recent snow and current strong south west winds.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 8th, 2022 4:00PM
