Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 2nd, 2023–Apr 3rd, 2023

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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.

Spring convective activity is bringing variable amounts of new snow to the region, this can increase the avalanche hazard locally.

Deep persistent slabs may still be reactive to human triggers in shallow snowpack areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity reported over the past five days.

Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

3- 10 cm of new snow is sitting on top of a sun crust at all elevations on solar aspects, and facets on polar aspects with unsupportive pockets in shallow snowpack areas. The middle of the snowpack consists of multiple layers of dense wind-affected snow, sun crust, and facets. Depth hoar and basal facets make up the base of the snowpack. Snow depth varies ranges from 60-170cm.

Weather Summary

Up to 20 cm of snow forecast by Monday night. Light variable winds, freezing levels at 1400 m and alpine high of -7 C. On Tuesday, expect up to 15 cm of new snow with light winds, freezing levels at valley bottom and alpine high of -7 C.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
If triggered, loose dry avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.