Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
CAUTION! We are entering the first period this spring with freezing levels above 3500m and no or limited overnight freeze. This is a ALL MELT, NO FREEZE scenario.
We are also expecting new snow or rain on Saturday night that could increase the avalanche hazard.
Limit your exposure to avalanche terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent observations of large avalanches
Snowpack Summary
Without a good overnight freeze the snowpack is slush to treeline. With a good freeze there are surface crusts on south aspects to mountain top and on north aspect to 2600m. On sheltered northerly slopes above 2600m, soft snow exists and the snowpack remains susceptible to triggering deeper, unstable layers.
Weather Summary
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: High 8 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 10-20 km/h.
Freezing level: 3600 metres.
SaturdayShowers.
Precipitation: 9 mm.
Alpine temperature: Low 2 °C, High 9 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 10-30 km/h.
Freezing level: 3200 metres.
SundayFlurries.
Accumulation: 8 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -3 °C, High 2 °C.
Ridge wind northwest: 10-30 km/h.
Freezing level: 2400 metres.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.
- Travel early on sun-exposed slopes before cornices weaken with daytime warming.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
This is combination of midseason persistent weak layers and the weak facets & depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 4
Cornices
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3