Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2025 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Storm Slabs, Persistent Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Parks Canada, Avalanche Canada

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

Up to 50 cm of new snow fell over the weekend, adding significant weight to an already weak snowpack. It will take time for the snowpack to adjust to these changes. Wait for the avalanche cycle to complete before entering any avalanche-prone terrain.

Check for avalanche closure updates on Alberta 511.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Obscured conditions all day on Sunday prevented any avalanche observations.Two large naturally occurring Deep Persistent Slabs were observed in the backcountry adjacent to the ski hill on March 7th.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 45 cm of new snow fell over the weekend. Below this fresh snow, the snowpack is complex, with multiple crusts and facet layers creating persistent weak layers. The bottom of the snowpack consists primarily of weak facets and depth hoar.

Weather Summary

Sunday night:Periods of snow. Accumulation: 15 cm. Alpine temperature: Low -10 Â°C. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 55 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries. Precipitation: Trace. Alpine temperature: High -9 Â°C. Ridge wind west: 15-35 km/h. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Heavy precipitation and strong winds over the weekend will make for touchy widespread storm slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very Likely - Certain

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.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Very 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.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2025 4:00PM