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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 8th, 2024–Feb 9th, 2024
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.

The complexity and spatial variability of the current snowpack warrant careful evaluation and a critical mindset. Now is a good time to dust off your avalanche course skills and apply them in the field.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported in the last couple days.The field team on Monday triggered a sz 1.5 persistent slab on a south asp. at TL in Boundary Lake on the Parkway. Triggered with a whumph and was slow to initiate.

Snowpack Summary

5 - 10 cm of recent snow sits over a variable, breakable crust. This crust is 1-3cm thick on shaded aspects, and up to a 15-20cm thick on solar aspects. Big, connected, and sunny tree line features are the most troublesome. Persistent and deep persistent weak layers remain ever-present and active. Do not trust either of these layers.

Weather Summary

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: High -9 °C. Ridge wind light northeast to 15 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Saturday: Cloudy with sunny periods. No snow, light west winds. Alpine high of -8 C.

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Our recent melt-freeze cycle was not strong enough to heal our persistent slab problem. This weak layer, buried 20-40cm deep, is still reactive in snowpit tests and human triggering remains possible, particularly in shallow rocky start zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Human and natural triggering of these basal facets remains possible.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3