Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Rising freezing levels and solar radiation will increase the hazard in the afternoon on Monday. Expect to find changing conditions as you change aspect and elevation.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity reported on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
15-30cm of snow sits over the March 19th crust which is present everywhere except North aspects above 1900m. Widespread wind effect in the alpine. The Feb 3rd crust interface is down 30-90cm. Basal depth hoar and facets make up the bottom of the snowpack. HS ranges from 50 to 150cm.
Weather Summary
Mountain Weather Forecast is available @ Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Monday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Wind W: 15-30 km/h. Freezing level: 2100m.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries (4 cm). Wind SW: 25 km/h gusting 70 km/h. Freezing level: 2500m.
Wednesday
Flurries (10 cm). Wind SW: 15 km/h gusting to 45 km/h. Freezing level: 2200m.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs can be found in isolated locations in the alpine, if triggered they could step down to the persistent slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
This problem seems to be most active where the March 19th crust is not supportive over the Feb 3rd weak layer (down 30-90cm) of facets over a crust. Northerly aspects between 1900-2400m seem to be the problem area. It is possible that this will step down to the deep persistent weak layer.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Loose Wet
Climbing freezing levels and solar radiation will destabilize the snowpack. Loose wet avalanches are most likely on steep, sun affected slopes. Avalanches may initiate easily on the smooth crust below.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2