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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 2nd, 2023–Dec 3rd, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Brazeau, Cirrus-Wilson, Icefields.

Incoming snow and strong winds will likely raise the avalanche hazard throughout the day on Sunday. Watch for changing conditions, and avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Snowpack Summary

Surface hoar up to 10mm, and a thin sun crust on south and west aspects, are now buried by up to 5cm of snow in sheltered areas. Strong winds continue to hammer exposed areas at tree line and above. The snowpack is generally between 25-45cm of snow sitting over a faceted base.

Weather Summary

A frontal system moving across the region on Sunday will bring 2-5cm of snow and strong SW winds at ridge top.

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available from Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.

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.