Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
The widespread natural avalanche cycle that occurred this weekend should be slowing down with cooler temperatures but the potential for human triggered avalanches may still be likely.
We are dealing with a complex snowpack that varies greatly from slope to slope.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Warm weather on the weekend produced natural persistent slab avalanche activity up to size 2.5, along with numerous wet loose avalanches to size 2.
On Monday there were more wet loose avalanches observed up to size 1.5 on solar aspects.
Neighboring regions reported numerous natural size 2-3 avalanches over the weekend as well as explosive results up to size 3.5.
Snowpack Summary
The Icefields received up to 10 cm of new snow on Sunday night that now sits on a sun crust on solar aspects to mountaintop. Recent winds have scoured some areas and deposited snow in others. The upper 50 cm of the snowpack has a variety of persistent weak layers including facets, surface hoar, crusts and old wind slabs. Lots of variability exists in the upper snowpack depending on the slope. The bottom of the snowpack is comprised of weak facets and depth hoar.
Weather Summary
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -7 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 10-20 km/h.
Wednesday
Flurries.
Accumulation: 6 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -7 °C, High -4 °C.
Ridge wind west: 10-20 km/h.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -8 °C, High -4 °C.
Light ridge wind.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Recently redistributed snow is sitting on top of a layer of weak facets from the February drought, which rests on old wind slabs and crusts. Even with cooling temperatures, human triggering will remain possible.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Recent avalanche activity on this layer was reported by the local ski hill in the surrounding backcountry on Friday. The large depth hoar at the base of the snowpack remains inherently weak.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3