Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
A weekend warming trend and poor overnight refreeze will destabilize the snowpack. Watch for overhead hazards and avoid terrain capable of producing large avalanches.
Watch for isolated wind slabs in the high alpine and thin to thick snowpack areas where triggering the deep persistent slab is more likely.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No recent observation.
Snowpack Summary
In sheltered northerly slopes above 2600m, 5-20 cm of soft snow exists. Isolated wind slabs exist on wind exposed lee slopes in the alpine.
The upper snowpack at treeline and below is a series of crusts. The lower snowpack is dry, faceted, and weak.
High north aspects offer the best spring riding conditions, though the snowpack remains susceptible to triggering deeper, unstable layers.
Weather Summary
Freezing levels will only drop to 2600 m Friday evening. On Saturday, freezing levels are expected to remain at or above this elevation, with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. This warming trend will continue through the weekend, with rain or snow possible at higher elevations.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
With no overnight refreeze expected below 2600 m, rising temperatures and strong sun may trigger wet loose avalanches. Plan to travel early and be off steep slopes before the heat of the day.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Pockets of wind slab remain in the alpine, primarily in wind-loaded features. While distribution is limited, these slabs could still be reactive in steep, unsupported terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
This is combination of our midseason persistent weak layers and the weak facets & depth hoar that live at the bottom of the snowpack. The likelihood of triggering this layer has been decreasing but if triggered, would likely result in a large destructive avalanche.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 4