Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 29th, 2023–Jan 30th, 2023

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

The weak base of our snowpack will persist even when the signs indicate an improving trend. Maintain your discipline to not push into bigger terrain. Human triggered avalanches are possible with large avalanches in isolated areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Sunday's Icefield patrol had excellent visibility. Some Windslabs and Deep Persistent Slabs were noted in the alpine but estimated to be 24 to 48 hours old. No field patrol occurred on Saturday. A large avalanche was observed on Thursday in the Icefields starting in the Alpine, running on deep facets, and travelled far into treeline.

Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20cm of soft settled new snow from Jan 27th overlies a melt-freeze crust up to 2000m. Windslabs are present in the alpine and exposed treeline locations. Generally, the bottom of the snowpack is weak with facets and depth hoar. The snowpack ranges from 50 to 120cm.

Weather Summary

Monday to Wednesday will be in the -10 to -15 Celsius range, sun, clouds, flurries, and light Westerly winds.

Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.
Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

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.