Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
Our complex snowpack is undergoing significant changes, with considerable uncertainty regarding the size, reactivity, and spatial distribution of both newly buried and older weak layers. Approach avalanche terrain with caution and apply all available safe travel techniques.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
An unreported skier triggered small slab avalanche observed today in the Icefields Parkway corridor. Local natural avalanche activity has gradually decreased, though field teams are still finding signs of large avalanche cycle throughout the bulletin region. Serious avalanche conditions persist even if the evidence is not always visible.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of well-settled storm snow from last weekend overlays faceted layers formed during the February drought. These facets sit on top of old wind slabs, crusts, or more developed facets and depth hoar. Wind effect in exposed tree line and alpine elevations. Below 1500m, warm temperatures and rain have soaked the weak snowpack.
Weather Summary
Thursday:Freezing level rising to 1900 m. Snow beginning in the morning. Lower snowfall amounts at lower elevations with rain showers at valley bottom. Ridgetop winds gusting to 65 km/h at night.Friday:Freezing level rising to 2200 m. Chance of flurries or rain showers in the afternoon.Weekend: A mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest winds at ridgetop. Highs near -1 at treeline. Freezing levels near 2000 m.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
- Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
10-20 cm of well-settled storm snow from last weekend overlays faceted layers formed during the February drought. These facets sit on top of old wind slabs, crusts, or more developed facets and depth hoar. This avalanche problem is of greatest concern in wind-loaded and wind-affected areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Deep Persistent Slabs
The large depth hoar at the bottom of the snowpack is inherently weak. The recent storm load has the potential to wake up this problem as overall, the snowpack remains shallow and weak.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3