Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Cirrus-Wilson, Icefields.
23-30cm of new snow is expected over the long weekend on the Icefields Parkway. Watch out for wind slabs in exposed alpine terrain and be aware that small, dry loose avalanches are possible in steep, sheltered terrain (talking to you ice climbers!)
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches observed.
Please consider submitting a MIN to report avalanche activity, conditions, or weather.
Snowpack Summary
20-30cm of snow over the long weekend will create fresh wind slabs. These new wind slabs will sit over a thin and variable snowpack. Nov 10- Treeline snow depths 5-20cm.
Avoid wind loaded pockets in leeward areas and near ridgetop.
Many open crevasses are hidden by thin bridges of wind-blown snow. Roping up, diligent probing, and experience are critical for glacier travel.
Weather Summary
Saturday Snow. Accumulation: 10-20 cm. Wind SW 20 km/h gusting to 50. Freezing level 1600 metres
Sunday Sunny periods and isolated flurries. Trace precipitation. Wind SW 15 km/h gusting 55
Monday Cloudy with scattered flurries. Accumulation: 5 cm. Freezing level: 1800m
Mountain Weather Forecast https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Rapid loading on Saturday with moderate to strong wind will quickly increase wind slab hazard. Limited snowpack observations so far but the consensus is our base is weak and avalanches are likely this weekend.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
Use caution is steep, sheltered areas. Ice climbers should mindful of their overhead hazard.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2