Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

DK, Avalanche Canada

Jasper, Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

Travel in the Icefields will require you to ride on some version of a slab, (windslab, temp crust, and settlement) overlying the Jan PWL.

Dig down and test the reactivity of the new snowpack before you commit to a line or feature.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

The road survey team was in Medicine Lake and the Icefields on Tuesday. Lower elevations below 1800m has snowballing and small loose dry, point releases. Recent natural slab activity in the forecast region has been associated with the Jan PWL.

Snowpack Summary

As a general observation, the snowpack continues to be weak and largely unsupportive, though recent storm snow has improved travel. HS at tree-line is 45-75cm. Ski penetration is down ~30cm which shows that while shallow, there is some structure (slab) in the mid-pack. An interface down ~25cm shows up in snowpack tests; while in the field, reactivity will be subject to the strength of the slab over the PWL layer.

Weather Summary

Icefields Overnight: Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries. Low -7 °C. Mostly light SW winds.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. High -5 °C. Light SW wind. Freezing level: 1500 metres.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Recent reported avalanches in the Icefields were down ~30cm on this suspect interface. This layer is concerning when there is a cohesive slab overlying it. Watch for the warnings in the snowpack like shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Triggering may be possible in isolated features. Approaches or transitions with steep rocky terrain are particularly worrisome. Watch for signs of whumping and cracking.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3.5

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2024 4:00PM