Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Cirrus-Wilson, Icefields.
Trace amounts of new snow on top of Tuesday's temperature crust could lead to a slippery sliding surface and small avalanches. This could be an issue for ice climbers in high consequence terrain.
Early Season Conditions persist, so travel with caution.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Whumphing was reported in the Hilda ridge area on Saturday.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack is very shallow with only 25-40cm at treeline. The alpine is heavily wind effected with scoured windward slopes and ridges. Snowpack can be a meter deep in leeward features. Expect a temperature crust on all aspects to mountain top under about 5cm of fresh snow.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available from Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Alpine temperature: High -8 °C.
Light ridge wind.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Alpine temperature: Low -5 °C, High -2 °C.
Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
- Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind event on Tuesday has likely created wind slabs in cross-loaded terrain and possibly into treeline where there is enough snow to slide.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
Ice climbers should watch for small sluffs in high consequence terrain with fresh snow falling on top of a slippery crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5