Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Solar effect has been less influential than originally forecast and the snowpack structure has changed very little over the past week. The hazard remains moderate in the alpine and at treeline due to uncertainty regarding the reactivity of our deep persistent slab problem.
Shaded, polar slopes will have better skiing at treeline and below.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Avalanche control using explosives on Hwy 93N resulted in few wind slabs and numerous loose dry avalanches up to size 2 on Wednesday, March 8.
No new natural avalanche activity observed on Maligne Road or Icefields Parkway today.
Don't forget to post avalanche observations to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
A weak sun crust can be found on sun-exposed slopes at lower elevations. Wind sheltered areas and sun-protected slopes have 20 to 40cm of low density facetted snow. There is extensive wind effect at tree line and above from previous SW winds.
The mid and lower snowpack is generally weak and faceted with depth hoar lingering at the base. Snowpack depth varies from 60 to 160cm.
Weather Summary
Sunday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: High -8 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 10-25 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday
Snow.
Accumulation: 17 cm.
Alpine temperature: Low -8 °C, High -3 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15-35 km/h.
Freezing level rising to 1700 metres.
Tuesday
Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.
Precipitation: Trace.
Alpine temperature: Low -17 °C, High -10 °C.
Ridge wind southwest: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.
Freezing level at valley bottom.
Freezing level rising to 1600 metres.
Detailed weather forecasts from Avalanche Canada: https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast
Terrain and Travel Advice
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous moderate to strong SW winds have formed wind slabs in exposed areas at tree line and in the alpine.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
The bottom of the snow pack is inherently weak with well developed Facets and Depth Hoar. Use caution is thin snowpack areas where human traffic may be able to trigger this layer. Large triggers such as cornice fall or wind slab avalanches may also trigger this layer resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5