Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Be cautious of daytime warming. We are still seeing large natural avalanches occur daily.
Deeper instabilities and persistent weak layers remain reactive. Allow the snowpack time to recover, stick to conservative terrain, and avoid overhead hazards.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
March 31, Three Size 3 avalanches were reported on the unnamed peak to the NW of Mt. Cirrus. One of the avalanches was reported to have a 3 meter deep crown.
March 30, Two Size 2.5 Deep persistent avalanches were observed on Roche Bonhomme. Field teams observed numerous wet loose avalanches up to size 1 due to increased solar warming. These smaller avalanches were then triggering larger persistent and deep persistent slabs up to size 2.5
Snowpack Summary
There is a temperature crust to 2300m at the Icefields and a sun crust that likely goes to mountain top. The upper snowpack has 25 cm of settling new snow over recent crusts. A 50-100 cm mid-pack rests on weak facets. The lower snowpack consists of depth hoar and breaking down crusts. Tree line snow depth is 110-170 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: 2 cms snow
Alpine temperature: High -3 °C.
Ridge wind west: 10-25 km/h.
Freezing level: 1800 metres.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
This avalanche problem is associated with a weak facet and crust layer buried at the end of January approximately 80cm down in sheltered areas. This includes a crust layer formed in early March below the recent storm snow which is prominent on solar aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Field teams continue to observe deep persistent slab avalanches this week. Avalanches in the upper snowpack may have the potential to step down to these deeper weak layers, leading to larger, more destructive slides. Consider this layer when evaluating overhead hazard and terrain choices.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 4
Loose Wet
Recent snow and warm temperatures will lead to wet loose avalanches when the sun appears. These have the potential to trigger deeper weak layers within the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2