Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 25th, 2023 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs, Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.

TJ, Avalanche Canada

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

In the spring, convective flurries can drop vastly different amounts of snow from valley to valley. Maintain situational awareness and change your plans if faced with unexpected weather.

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed

Post avalanche observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Sun crusts on solar aspects into the alpine and a melt-freeze crust at tree line and below on all aspects. Small wind slabs in the alpine from moderate to strong SW winds and recent new snow. A layer of sun crust or facets linger in the mid-pack. The main concern is the depth hoar and basal facets at the bottom causing our deep persistent slab problem.

Weather Summary

Wednesday

Sunny with cloudy periods and isolated flurries

Precipitation: Trace

Alpine temperature: High 0 °C

Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h

Freezing level: 2200m

Thursday

Sunny

Alpine temperature: Low -8 °C, High 0 °C

Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h

Freezing level: 2200m

Terrain and Travel Advice

In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The bottom of the snowpack is inherently weak with well-developed Facets and Depth Hoar. The next few days could see this problem moving into the reactive category with dramatically rising freezing levels.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Loose Wet

Warming temperatures will continue to produce wet loose avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong south west winds and new snow from convective activity will make new wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Apr 26th, 2023 4:00PM