Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2023–Feb 23rd, 2023

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

These cold temperatures can quickly turn a minor problem into a major one. Think about bringing extra layers and planning shorter days.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No Patrol on Wednesday. One notable reverse loaded wind slab on the SE face of Mt. Henry near Jasper.

Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 cm of new snow has been redistributed by moderate to strong northerly winds. Reverse loading present in the alpine and open tree line. In sheltered locations the upper snowpack is comprised of 25-35 cm soft snow from the past couple of weeks on top of a generally weak mid and lower snowpack with facets and depth hoar at the base. The height of snow is variable from 50 to 150cm.

Weather Summary

For Parker Ridge

Thursday

Sunny with cloudy periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -27 °C.

Ridge wind east: 10 km/h.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -27 °C, High -19 °C.

Ridge wind west: 15 km/h.

Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.