Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 18th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

DK, Avalanche Canada

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

The weather is proving difficult to forecast across the region. Localized storm slabs and building windslabs are possible. It's a good time to take a step back and give the snowpack time to stabilize.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new reports of natural avalanche activity but still be vigilant and make careful assessments.

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

Snowpack Summary

New snow continues to build around the Icefields area and sits on top of a variety of surfaces - crusts on solar aspects & BTL and old wind pressed/ slab on exposed northerly aspects.

BTL is in a daily melt-freeze cycle. At TL, the mid-pack consists of multiple layers of sun crusts or facets and shows long propagation potential on connected features. Depth hoar and basal facets at the base.

Weather Summary

Weather models are a bit wacky right now. It's the result of forecasted convective storms.

Snowfall overnight Tuesday is expected to be most intense around the Icefields (~10-15cm), Parkers Ridge, and along the divide. Flurries will continue through Wednesday and overnight.

Look for detailed weather products and tutorials at Avalanche Canada

Terrain and Travel Advice

If triggered, storm slabs in-motion may step down to deeper layers and result in very large avalanches.

Problems

Storm Slabs

A new, non-persistent storm slab is expected to be widespread at higher elevations predominately around the Icefields and along the Divide.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

A cornucopia of persistent weak layers in the midpack can be found as facets on polar aspects and sun crusts on solar aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

The bottom of the snowpack is inherently weak with well-developed Facets and Depth Hoar.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Apr 19th, 2023 4:00PM