Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Sunny skies and high freezing levels are forcasted for Sunday. Start early and end early to take advantage of the overnight freeze.
It's still winter up high though; expect to find wind slabs on lee features in the alpine.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche observations.
Snowpack Summary
10-20cm of recent snow has been redistributed by South to SW winds in the Alpine. It is still very much winter conditions above 2800m. Solar slopes and all aspects at tree line and below have a plethora of crusts in the upper snow pack. The Feb 3 PWL is down 40-100cm and remains a concern on shaded aspects above 2400m. The basal depth hoar/facets are gaining strength in deeper snowpack areas.
Weather Summary
Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada
Sunday
A mix of sun & cloud. Alpine temps: High 2 °C. Wind southwest: 10-25 km/h. Freezing level: 2400m.
Monday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Wind west: 15-30 km/h. Freezing level: 1800m.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries (4cm). Wind northwest: 15 km/h gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Small wet avalanches are likely on steep slopes exposed to heat and/or sun. Watch your overhead exposure and use particular caution during the heat of the day when the sun is out. Moist or wet snow surface and pinwheeling are indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Ongoing moderate to strong winds have formed wind slabs on previous hard surfaces (sun crusts and old wind slabs). These have not bonded yet to the old surfaces.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
This problem seems to be most active where the March 19th crust is not supportive over the Feb 3rd weak layer (down 30-90cm) of facets over a crust. This problem remains a concern on shaded aspects above 2400m.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5