Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2025–Feb 23rd, 2025

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

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

The Icefields Parkway will be closed for avalanche control from Athabasca Falls to Saskatchewan Crossing starting Saturday at 4 PM. Check for updates on https://511.alberta.ca/.It is time to reel back from avalanche terrain while the snowpack is going through significant changes.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No Icefield's patrol on Saturday and nothing new reported. Maligne patrol noted a few low elevation loose wet size 1. Thursday's Parker Ridge patrol noted a few small loose point release avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

After Saturday evening into Sunday, there could be 20-40cm of new snow in the Icefields. This will be whipped around by winds and rests previously exposed surfaces of temperatures crusts, surface hoar, surface facets, or hard wind buffed wind surface. The midpack is weak and faceted. The bottom is large depth hoar.

Weather Summary

Weather models are not in agreement for a storm arriving Saturday night into Sunday for the Icefields. Snowfall amounts range from 20-40cm depending on which model. There is far less expected for the Maligne and townsite areas. Flurries are expected Monday and Tuesday after the storm.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

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.

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.