Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Nov 26th, 2022–Nov 27th, 2022

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.

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.

Great skiing can be found in sheltered areas, but the avalanche hazard is rising with forecast snow and wind Saturday night.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several Loose Dry avalanches up to size 1.5, and one size 2 wind slab were observed in the icefields area on Saturday. Cracking and small cookies were triggered by the field team in wind effected areas at tree line.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 25cm of storm snow sits on a significant weak layer combination of facets, surface hoar, and crusts. Strong south west winds have redistributed this snow into wind slabs on leeward and cross-loaded terrain features in open areas at tree line and in the alpine. The height of the snow at tree line ranges from 50 to 90cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -11 °C.

Ridge wind west: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -24 °C, High -18 °C.

Ridge wind northeast: 10-20 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -25 °C, High -19 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Avoid terrain traps such as gullies and cliffs where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.