Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
A few centimeters of new snow and northly winds have reverse loaded onto southerly slopes that don't usually have wind slab issues. This combined with the February crust on solar aspects should give you pause as you head into tree line and the alpine to stop, dig and investigate before you commit to a climb or ski run.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
An avalanche around Boundary Peak was observed on Tuesday likely sliding on the Feb 3 crust loaded from northerly winds. Two recent, and large, Deep Persistent Slab avalanches were observed along the Icefields Parkway on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
Trace amounts of snow fell across the region Monday night. Northwest winds have redistributed the recent snow in open areas at tree line and above.
In sheltered areas 15 - 25cm of low density snow overlies the Feb 3rd crust, which ranges from 1-3cm thick on shaded aspects up to 2500m, to 15-20cm thick at lower elevations. The Persistent and Deep Persistent weak layers continue to produce whoomphing and sudden fractures in tests.
Weather Summary
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High -13 °C.
Ridge wind northeast: 10-20 km/h.
Thursday
Sunny with cloudy periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -19 °C, High -14 °C.
Ridge wind northeast: 10-20 km/h.
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
- Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of runout zones.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong winds from the west and northwest have formed new wind slabs in leeward features in the alpine.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
This weak layer, buried 20-40cm deep, is still reactive in snowpit tests and human triggering remains possible, particularly in shallow rocky start zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Human and natural triggering of these basal facets remains possible.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3