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Avalanche Forecast

Apr 5th, 2023–Apr 6th, 2023
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

Last day with a good previous overnight freeze on Thursday before the weather changes. Use caution on solar aspects and at lower elevations if the snowpack warms up faster than expected. The wind has also been back at work, moving snow into thin wind slabs at tree line and above.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Only isolated small loose dry avalanches in steep alpine terrain have been observed in the region in the last few days.

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

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong winds have redistributed the dusting of new snow from last week. Under this there is a sun crust at all elevations on solar aspects, with mixed facets on polar aspects. The mid-pack consists of multiple layers of dense wind effected snow, sun crusts, and facets. Depth hoar and basal facets make up the base of the snowpack. Snow depth varies ranges from 60-170cm.

Weather Summary

On Thursday mainly sunny conditions with increasing cloudiness by the afternoon, and Southwesterly ridgetop winds 30-40 km/h. Freezing levels will rise to between 1800 and 2000 m, with an alpine high of -3°C. On Friday an increasingly robust southwesterly upper level flow will move in with increasing winds, rising temperatures, and some light precipitation.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The bottom of the snowpack is inherently weak with well-developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Large triggers like cornices can still initiate this deep persistent slab so be mindful of your overhead hazard and keep in mind that human triggering remains possible in thick to thin snowpack areas.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5

Wind Slabs

South west winds have redistributed last weeks snow into thin wind slabs on lee and cross-loaded features. Use caution as you transition into wind effected terrain

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5