Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Brazeau, Churchill, Cirrus-Wilson, Fryatt, Icefields, Jasper, Maligne, Marmot, Miette Lake, Pyramid.
There was a widespread natural avalanche cycle that occurred this past weekend. With cooler temperatures, fewer natural avalanches are expected but human triggered avalanches may still be possible.
We are dealing with a complex snowpack that varies greatly from slope to slope.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Warm weather on the weekend produced natural persistent slab avalanche activity up to size 2.5, along with numerous wet loose avalanches to size 2.
On Monday and Tuesday there were more loose avalanches observed up to size 1.5 on solar aspects.
Neighboring regions reported numerous natural size 2-3 avalanches over the weekend as well as explosive results up to size 3.5.
Snowpack Summary
The Icefields received up to 10 cm of new snow on Sunday night that now sits on a sun crust on solar aspects to mountaintop. The upper 50 cm of the snowpack has two persistent weak layers mostly comprised of facets but in some areas surface hoar, crusts and old wind slabs can also be found. Lots of variability exists in the upper snowpack depending on the slope. The bottom of the snowpack is comprised of weak facets and depth hoar.
Weather Summary
Wednesday
Accumulation of Snow: 6 cm.
Alpine temperature: High -4 °C.
Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.
Thursday
Cloudy with sunny periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -8 °C, High -3 °C.
Ridge wind light to 15 km/h.
Friday
Cloudy with sunny periods.
Precipitation: Nil.
Alpine temperature: Low -14 °C, High -5 °C.
Ridge wind west: 15-30 km/h.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
There are two Persistent layers in the upper 50cm of the snowpack both consisting of weak facets. There were numerous avalanches up to size 2.5 during the warm up this past weekend on these layers. Natural avalanches are less likely with the cooler temps but human triggering remains possible.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Deep Persistent Slabs
Recent avalanche activity on this layer was reported by the local ski hill in the surrounding backcountry on Friday. The large depth hoar at the base of the snowpack remains inherently weak. Be careful in shallow rocky areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3