Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 2nd, 2023–Apr 3rd, 2023

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

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

Spring convective activity is bringing variable amounts of new snow to the region, this can increase the avalanche hazard locally.

Deep persistent slabs may still be reactive to human triggers in shallow snowpack areas.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity reported over the past five days.

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

Snowpack Summary

3- 10 cm of new snow is sitting on top of a sun crust at all elevations on solar aspects, and facets on polar aspects with unsupportive pockets in shallow snowpack areas. The middle of the snowpack consists of multiple layers of dense wind-affected snow, sun crust, and facets. Depth hoar and basal facets make up the base of the snowpack. Snow depth varies ranges from 60-170cm.

Weather Summary

Up to 20 cm of snow forecast by Monday night. Light variable winds, freezing levels at 1400 m and alpine high of -7 C. On Tuesday, expect up to 15 cm of new snow with light winds, freezing levels at valley bottom and alpine high of -7 C.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
If triggered, loose dry avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in large 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: 1.5 - 3.5

Loose Dry

Convective flurries, bringing variable amounts of dry snow, are expected to produce dry loose avalanches running on old hard surfaces such as sun crust and wind slab. Localized weather could result in a formation of small wind or storm slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2