Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 10th, 2022–Dec 11th, 2022

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

Be vigilant regarding the persistent weak Surface hoar layer down 30cm. If the snow above become more cohesive into a slab condition, it could wake up unexpectedly.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol occurred Saturday. No new avalanches have been observed or reported in the last 2 days.

Snowpack Summary

5-10cm of snow arrived Dec 8th which overlies previous Windslab surfaces formed by Dec 7-8th Moderate Southwest winds in the alpine. A surface hoar layer is down 25-35cm and is located in Treeline sheltered areas. The snowpack ranges from 40-100cm deep and can be unsupportive in locations.

Weather Summary

Weather for Parkers ridge Saturday night will be light snow, -9 °C, and light Southwest winds. Expect on Sunday sun and cloud, no new snow, -6 °C, and light winds. Monday and Tuesday is forecasted to be similar to Sunday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Surface hoar distribution is highly variable. Avoid generalizing your observations.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.