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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 5th, 2024–Dec 6th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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.

Friday is a transitional day for the weather. Temperatures are forecasted to cool near the Icefields but remain elevated around Maligne Lake before a weather system comes in on Saturday. Watchout for windslab if the wind starts moving snow around.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Variable surface conditions.10cm of moist snow or a thin melt freeze crust due to above freezing temperatures. The Nov 8th crust and facets are down 20-30 cm at tree-line and below. We have also found surface hoar (6mm) down 60cm at 2500m. The October crust is widespread and is found near the base of the snow pack and has facets above and below. Snow depth is roughly 70 cm at treeline and tapers rapidly below.

Weather Summary

Friday

Cloudy with scattered flurries.

Accumulation: 4 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -3 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 45 km/h.

Freezing level: 1700 metres.

Saturday

Periods of snow.

Accumulation: 13 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -5 °C, High -4 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 80 km/h.

Freezing level: 1500 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Small avalanches may cause climbers to fall or bury belayers and gear.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Watchout for warm temperatures over the next few days especially with the shallow snowpack. Small wet avalanches can be a problem if you are exposed ice climbing or above a terrain trap.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer is most reactive where it has been loaded by wind transported snow. This problem includes the Oct 18 crust and the Nov 8th crust and surface hoar. There’s uncertainty around its distribution and triggerability.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5