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Avalanche Forecast

Apr 22nd, 2023–Apr 23rd, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

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

A warming trend over the next two days may increase the reactivity of cornices and deep persistent slabs.

Be mindful of your overhead hazard and avoid terrain features capable of producing large avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday , 2 natural large deep persistent slab avalanches were observed by the Icefields road patrol, both on east aspect in the alpine triggered by a cornice failure.

Maligne road patrol saw no new natural avalanche activity on Friday.

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

Snowpack Summary

Sun crusts on solar aspects with a melt-freeze crust below tree line. Old wind slab in exposed alpine terrain.

A weak layer of sun crust or facets lingers in the mid-pack but the main concern is the depth hoar and basal facets at the bottom of the snowpack causing our deep persistent slab problem.

Weather Summary

Sunday Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High 0 °C.

Light ridge wind occasionally gusting 30 km/h.

Freezing level: 2200 m

Monday A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -3 °C, High 2 °C.

Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.

Freezing level: 2400 m

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -3 °C, High -1 °C.

Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 40 km/h.

Freezing level: 2100 m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
  • In areas where deep persistent slabs may exist, avoid shallow or variable depth snowpacks and unsupported terrain features.

Avalanche Problems

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 - 4

Cornices

With increasing daytime temperatures and sun effect mature cornices have a potential to trigger the lingering deep persistent slab below.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Wet

Freezing level is expected to rise to 2200m on Sunday and Monday.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2