Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Temperatures arn't quite dropping yet. Be patient while the avalanche hazard remains elevated this week from the ongoing heat.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural avalanches at all elevations were observed over the past few days. Impressive avalanches up to size 3.5 out of alpine and tree line features, as well as loose wet and wet slabs up to size 2 below tree line were observed. Although natural avalanche activity is tapering slightly, the snowpack will remain unstable until the temperatures cool down.
Snowpack Summary
High freezing levels, rain, and solar radiation has formed breakable crusts up to 2500m. Below 2200m there is 5-10cm of moist snow on the surface until 1800m where the snowpack becomes saturated.
Previous Strong S and SW winds created wind slabs in alpine/treeline areas.
Persistent weak layers formed in early January are down 20-30cm in sheltered areas. Well developed facets and depth hoar make up the bottom of the snowpack.
Weather Summary
The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Thursday
Mainly cloudy. Alpine temperature High of 1 °C and freezing levels at 2400m. Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 35 km/h.
Friday
Mainly cloudy with scattered flurries (5cm). Alpine temperature: Low -3 °C, High 1 °C with freezing level at 2300m. Ridge wind light to 15 km/h.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Stick to non-avalanche terrain or small features with limited consequence.
Avalanche Problems
Deep Persistent Slabs
The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Human and natural triggering of these basal facets remains possible to likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5
Persistent Slabs
This layer is concerning when there is a cohesive slab overlying the January Facets and Surface Hoar layer. Recent slab development from wind and heat has produced numerous avalanches on this layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Wet
Rain and warm temperatures have saturated much of the snowpack at treeline and below treeline. This has resulted in widespread wet loose avalanches happening in steep terrain. The snowpack below treeline will remain weak and saturated until temperatures cool.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2