Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
High elevation winds are increasing in speed and power the next couple of days with 80km/hr at Icefields and 100km/hr at Maligne. Expect windslabs to develop rapidly. Caution is advised for the next couple of days until the wind's impacts can be ascertained.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No patrol occurred Monday and nothing new reported. Over the weekend the ski hill using explosives triggered two size 1.5 deep persistent avalanches and a small windslab.
Snowpack Summary
A dusting of new snow sits on the 15cm that fell last week and was redistributed by southwest winds. This wind has loaded lee features, creating windslabs and stripped exposed areas. In sheltered areas this snow sits on a weak layer of 7mm Surface Hoar. The mid and lower snow pack has multiple layers of surface hoar in sheltered terrain, melt freeze crusts and facets. Two of these are the deep persistent slab interfaces near the ground.
Weather Summary
Tuesday will deliver flurries, 6 cm of snow, -5 °C, SW winds 25 gusting to 80 km/h. Wednesday will be similar with 5cm of snow and gusting SW 55km/hr winds. Expect Thursday to be sun, flurries, and light SW winds.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snow and strong winds have created wind slabs. More winds are expected Tuesday and Wednesday. Avoid wind loaded unsupported terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
A variety of crusts with facets above and below exist at the bottom of the snowpack. These layers are going to be with us for along time and pose a low probability, high consequence situation if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3