Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
A reminder to use good travel techniques like spacing out or skiing a line one at a time if you are stepping out into bigger and more serious terrain.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Sporadic avalanches are still occurring throughout the region. On Tuesday a size 2 avalanche ran in the Churchill North Slide path to tree line.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Sun crust at all elevations on solar aspects. Unsupportive facets on polar aspects in shallower snowpack areas. Basal facets and depth hoar make up the base of the snowpack. Snow depth varies ranges from 60-170cm.
Weather Summary
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -2 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.
Freezing level: 1900 metres.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -9 °C, High -6 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.
Freezing level: 1400 metres.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Watch out for increased solar input or rising temperatures. When this happens wet loose avalanches will likely initiate from steep rocky terrain on southerly aspects, and may be large enough to trigger deeper problems.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snowpack is inherently weak with well-developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Large triggers like cornices, and wet avalanches can step down to this deep persistent slab, present on all aspects, TL and above.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5