Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
In many areas of Jasper, the snowpack has doubled since March 8th with 80cm of new snow. This is significant volume and if a slope did not release naturally already, one should be very suspicious for human triggering. Our neighbors in Banff park have reported a few near misses and burials.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
Saturday's Icefield patrol noted one size 2.5 across the valley from Mt Wilson. It could be recent or 48 hours old. Several loose dry solar induced size 1 were noted around the Icefield's. No Maligne patrol occurred. Friday's avalanche cycle produced many alpine avalanches up to size 3 running to treeline. These avalanches had wide propagation and connected through multiple terrain features.
Snowpack Summary
20-30cm cm arrived on Thursday which adds to our total of 70-80cm since March 9th. Below the fresh snow, the snowpack is complex having multiple crusts and facet layers. The bottom of the snowpack is facets and depth hoar.
Weather Summary
Sunday will be clouds, sun, flurries, -8 °C, and light to moderate SW winds. Monday and Tuesday will be similar but slightly less winds.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
This problem remains reactive on many alpine and exposed treeline slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
This avalanche problem is associated with a weak facet and crust layer, buried at the end of January, down approximately 70cm in sheltered areas. This also includes a crust layer formed in early March below the recent storm snow most prominent on solar aspects.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
Well developed facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snow pack are still producing large avalanches in our region. Several large natural deep persistent slab avalanches released during or immediately after the storm.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5