Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 23rd, 2024–Nov 24th, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

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

Fresh snow has fallen across the region, but be cautious of both new and old wind slabs, as well as loose dry avalanches out of steep rocky terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several size 1 loose dry avalanches out of steep rocky terrain were reported yesterday as the sun poked out. One of these pulling a windslab resulting in a sz 1.5.

Early season reports have been very limited. Please consider helping forecasters and your backcountry community by submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm of recent storm snow has been redistributed by winds. This sits on old windslabs and a faceted midpack. There is a thin crust 20-30cm below the surface, as well as a notable 5-15 cm thick crust near the base of the snowpack, surrounded by facets above and below. Snow depth in the alpine is approximately 80 cm but varies greatly due to wind redistributing the snow. Snow amounts at treeline taper off quickly with elevation.

Weather Summary

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries (trace amounts). High -9 °C with generally light ridge wind except for areas with strong gap winds that will weaken throughout the day. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries (trace amounts). Low of -12 °C and a high of -8 °C with winds from the southwest 10-25 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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.

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.