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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 3rd, 2023–Mar 4th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

The strong winds are easing off, and with that natural avalanche activity will as well.

Don't be lolled into complacency though, large destructive avalanches, especially human triggered ones, are still possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A number of large avalanches up to size 3 have been observed and reported over the week. The snowpack is very sensitive to small inputs of new snow, loading, and changes in temperature. These avalanches are mostly from the alpine but are running through all elevation bands.

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

Snowpack Summary

5 to 15cm of new snow since March 1st overlies 20 to 40cm of low density facetted crystals in sheltered areas. There is extensive wind effect at tree line and above from previous SW winds.

The upper snowpack consists of 30-50 cm of settled snow or wind slab sitting on top of a generally weak mid and lower snowpack. Facets and depth hoar linger at the base of the snowpack with the height of snow varying from 60 to 160cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -12 °C.

Ridge wind east: 10-30 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -25 °C, High -15 °C.

Ridge wind southeast: 10 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Previous moderate to strong winds from the SW have formed wind slabs in open areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Natural avalanches continue to step down to this layer resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5