Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 14th, 2024–Mar 15th, 2024
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high

Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.

Afternoon Road Closures are anticipated on Maligne Lake Road and the Icefields Parkway (from Parkers Ridge to Saskatchewan Crossing)

Check AB511 for immediate updates

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet, snowballing, and pinwheels were observed on steep sunny aspects. Large slabs have been observed in alpine lee features near the Icefields.

Snowpack Summary

The forecasted warmup will be a dramatic change to the surface and mid-pack condition of the snowpack. This change will happen over an extremely reactive crust interface down 35-60cm. This persistent weak layer has been consistently producing large natural avalanches. The equally worrisome basal depth hoar makes up the bottom third of the snowpack. HS ranges from 80 to 130cm.

Weather Summary

Clearing overnight Thursday

Parker Ridge - Friday

Sunny with cloudy periods on Friday. No new precip.

Alpine temperatures: High 3 °C.

Mostly Light SW winds.

Freezing level: 2600 m

Saturday

Sunny. Low -1 °C, High 6 °C.

Freezing level: 3200 m

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Strong and extended solar and temperature change is expected on all aspects. Open and exposed terrain will accelerate this process and may initiate deeper instabilities.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

This problem layer is the crust and facets created by early February's warm spell. It is down 30-80 cm in the snowpack and is a 1-10 cm thick crust or multiple crusts with a layer of weak facets above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Tickling this deep layer would result in a high consequence avalanche. Any avalanche in the upper snowpack has the potential to step down to the base of the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5