Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
The deep persistent basal layers are showing a significant jump in sensitivity as wind transport continues to build on slabs at treeline and above.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A number of large avalanches up to size 3 have been observed and reported over the last 7 days. The snowpack is very sensitive to small inputs of new snow, loading, and changes in temperature. These avalanches are mostly from the alpine but are running through all elevation bands.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
Recent strong winds from the north and southwest have redistributed surface snow increasing the wind slab hazard at and above treeline. Ridgetop has been scoured in most locations with wind effect visible throughout the alpine.
The upper snowpack consists of 20-50 cm of settled snow or wind slab sitting on top of a generally weak mid and lower snowpack. Facets and depth hoar linger at the base of the snowpack with the height of snow varying from 60 to 160cm.
Weather Summary
Significant cooling overnight with temperatures dropping below -20. Slow warming and increasing westerly winds over the day. Some flurries are expected over the day with minimal accumulation.
Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent strong to extreme winds and some new snow continue to build wind slabs in open areas. Previous north winds may have created some lingering wind slabs in abnormal locations due to reverse loading.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Natural avalanches continue to step down to this layer resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5