Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 9th, 2020–Mar 10th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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 possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper.

Good riding conditions reported in both the Icefields and Maligne areas. Remain cautious when negotiating and assessing areas with obvious wind effect.  Ice climbers should be cautious of sluffing especially in confined gulleys.

Weather Forecast

The Arctic air is being pushed out as a fast moving low from the gulf of Alaska moves inland bringing snow for Tue afternoon.  Tue - 9 cm. High -9 °C. Wind SW mod to strong.  Wed - Sunny and isolated flurries. Ppt Trace. High -10 °C. Wind W mod to strong.

More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to Strong SW winds transporting available fetch to lee aspects forming new windslab and encouraging loose, dry releases from steep terrain through the region. The Icefields has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern region is weak and shallow; bridging over the basal weakness is less reliable BTL.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed today. Numerous, older loose dry in the alpine, up to size 2 in both the Icefields and Maligne zones observed yesterday. A natural, older cornice release up to sz 2 observed, entraining HST from steep lee features and isolated windslabs with no propagation.

Share your observations: Mountain Information Network

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

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.

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.