Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2026–Mar 24th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

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

Check 511 for Highway 93 closure status. The snowpack needs more time to settle and stabilize following last week's massive storm. This lingering reactivity and an additional 15-20 cm forecasted for Tuesday will keep the hazard rating at considerable at treeline and above.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain about how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength.

Avalanche Summary

No road patrol March 23rd.

On March 22nd, a field patrol to Churchill noted no new naturals within the last 24 hours in the immediate area.

Explosive control on Saturday triggered numerous size 3-4's running almost full path.

A widespread natural avalanche cycle produced numerous, massive avalanches during and following the storm that occurred March 15 to 21.

Snowpack Summary

Since March 16th, the Icefield's alpine has received 50-100 cm of new snow and Maligne has received 20-30 cm. A temperature and rain crust has formed below tree line and exists up to 2100 m. A persistent weak layer of surface hoar and facets is buried 50-150 cm. The midpack is generally well consolidated with facets near the ground. Average snow depths for the Icefields is 150-220 cm and Maligne is 60-140 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday
Snow.

Accumulation: 22 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -3 °C.

Ridge wind south: 15 km/h gusting to 65 km/h.

Freezing level: 1700 metres.

Wednesday

Flurries.

Accumulation: 9 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -3 °C.

Ridge wind west: 25 km/h gusting to 85 km/h.

Freezing level: 1600 metres.

Thursday

Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries.

Accumulation: 4 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -11 °C.

Ridge wind west: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Keep your guard up as storm slabs may remain sensitive to human triggering.
Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.