Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Considerable Avalanche hazard is still dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely.
The Icefields Parkway is now open. Maligne Lake Road is still closed. Check Alberta 511 for updates.
Confidence
No Rating
Avalanche Summary
A widespread avalanche cycle has occurred as a result of the Feb 29th storm. Natural avalanches up to size 3.5 have been observed in the Icefields/Parker Zone on all aspects in the alpine and the tree line running to the end of avalanche paths. Likewise avalanche control along the Icefields Parkway on Friday had several sympathetic avalanche releases from a single explosion.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 50 cm of new snow fell in this storm with strong south and southwest winds, creating windslabs. This storms snow is now sitting on faceted snow above a 1-3cm thick crust that is down 35-60 cm. The mid-pack is faceted with basal depth hoar and well developed facets near ground. HS ranges from 80 to 130cm.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -17 °C.
Ridge wind east: 10 km/h.
Sunday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -19 °C, High -12 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 10-25 km/h.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong winds that accompanied the +50cm storm have produced windslabs in the alpine and treeline.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
This problem layer is the crust and facets created by early February's warm spell. It is down 30-70 cm in the snowpack and is a 1-10 cm thick crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Tickling this deep layer would result in a high consequence avalanche. Any avalanche in the upper snowpack has the potential to step down to the base of the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 4