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Avalanche Forecast

Feb 27th, 2024–Feb 28th, 2024
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be high
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

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

Don't let the fresh snow lure you into risky behavior. Maintain situational awareness and avoid overhead hazard.

Confidence

No Rating

Snowpack Summary

15 to 50 cm of new snow has fallen over the region, with the highest amounts around the Columbia Icefields. This has been accompanied by strong westerly winds at tree line and above. The new snow is falling on faceted snow which sits on a 1-3cm thick crust that is down 25-70 cm. The mid-pack is faceted with basal depth hoar and well developed facets near ground. HS ranges from 60 to 130cm.

Weather Summary

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Wednesday

Snow, heavy at times.

Accumulation: 27 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -5 °C.

Ridge wind southwest: 20 km/h gusting to 60 km/h.

Thursday

Periods of snow.

Accumulation: 15 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C, High -5 °C.

Mostly light ridge wind occasionally gusting to 55 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Touchy windslabs from recent strong winds exist in alpine and treeline, and possibly in open areas below treeline. These new slabs are bonded poorly to the faceted snow and/or crusts they overlie. Numerous natural & explosives controlled windslab avalanches have occurred in the last 24 hrs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

This problem layer is the crust and facets created by early February's warm spell and seems to be more active lower in elevation. Below 2500m of sunny slopes and 2800m on shaded slopes.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Tickling this deep layer would result in a high consequence avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3