Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 9th, 2024 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada DK, Avalanche Canada

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Extremely Cold temperatures are here and will persist for the near future.

This cold will speed up the facetting process and further weaken our shallow snowpack.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

1 isolated avalanche was observed on the backside of the ski hill, Marmot 2.

No other avalanches were observed in fieldwork on the Parkway today.

Please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of recent snowfall has been redistributed by moderate winds again exposing ice, rocky ridges, and terrain features, in the Icefields. This makes a structurally weak slab, over deep, faceted, and well-developed depth hoar chains at the base. Sheltered areas have an average snow depth of ~45-75 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Overnight:

The North winds are in Jasper and will continue south with numbing cold.

Wednesday

Mainly cloudy with crystal flurries. Alpine High: -23

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods. Alpine high -35 °C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Problems

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry

Cold temperatures and storm snow will increase the likelihood of dry loose avalanches in extreme terrain. Be aware of your overhead hazard and exposure to consequences.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

You must keep this basal layer on your radar as triggering is possible in isolated features, such as steep rocky terrain where you find yourself standing on the surface and not wallowing in facets, that's the problem slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Jan 10th, 2024 4:00PM