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Avalanche Forecast

Dec 9th, 2023–Dec 10th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Icefields, Jasper.

With the current winds plus snow available for transport, watch for dangerous avalanche conditions on specific terrain such as cross-loaded or wind-loaded slopes, Northwest to Northeast aspects, and where local terrain directs windloading patterns. Early season hazards are just below the surface. Read a recent report here.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol occurred on Saturday.

On Tuesday to Wednesday, numerous avalanches released due to a 30cm storm. They failed on the buried surface hoar, facet and melt-freeze crust layer. A size 1.5 near Parkers ridge behind Hilda hostel can be found here (Here).

Snowpack Summary

30cm of new snow from last Tuesday formed a persistent slab overlying a weak surface hoar and facet layer or a melt-freeze crust on south and west aspects. The snowpack is 35-45cm in depth with a weak facetted base. A rain crust exists below 1800m. Currently moderate to strong South winds are spawning windslabs on lee aspects.

Weather Summary

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

Sunday will be clouds, sun, flurries, -7 °C, and light west winds. Monday and Tuesday will be similar.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering potential persists as natural avalanching tapers off.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Failing on a buried preserved surface hoar, facet and melt-freeze crust layer roughly 20-50cm down. Slabs are stiffer and deeper where wind loading has occurred.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

The snow pack is very weak at the bottom. Recent storm snow and building windslabs is adding to its stress.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Winds have increased moderate to gusting strong from the South. They are expected to sustain these speeds for the next 24 hours whipping the snow into lee aspect windslabs.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2