Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 18th, 2023–Jan 19th, 2023

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.

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.

Continue to be mindful of the deep persistent slab problem and make conservative terrain choices. Saturday's forecast of new snow will be welcome but we may see a bump in hazard should more than forecast amounts materialize.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

There were no new avalanches observed on the icefields parkway on Tuesday - no patrol on Wednesday.

If you're out in the hills, don't forget to post to the MIN. Every bit of information helps

Snowpack Summary

5cm of new snow from this past week around Parker Ridge. Upper snowpack comprised of 20-30cm variable density snow sitting on top of the December 17 facet layer. Large facets and depth hoar comprise the bottom portion of the snowpack. Snowpack depths vary from 40-100cm.

Weather Summary

A surface ridge of high pressure will continue to bring mostly clear skies and minimal precipitation over the next couple of days. Thursday will be a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 0C and a low of minus 8C. Winds will be light in the morning picking up to moderate values from the west in the afternoon. Friday will be similar. Saturday a weakening low will bring light precipitation and increasing winds from the southwest.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

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.