Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 12 – 13, 2025Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 2 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map

Highlights

More snow is on the way. If an avalanche path didn't slide during the last storm it is likely it will during this storm. Avoid overhead hazard and stick to simple terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

    This avalanche problem is associated with a weak facet and crust layer, buried at the end of January, down approximately 70cm in sheltered areas. This also includes a crust layer formed in early March below the recent storm snow most prominent on solar aspects.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Well developed facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snow pack are still producing large avalanches in our region. Several large natural deep persistent slab avalanches released during or immediately after the storm.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, observations on the Icefields Parkway corridor revealed widespread natural avalanche activity from during the storm. Large slab avalanches, up to size 3.5, consisted of a mix of storm slab and persistent slab, with occasional step-downs to deeper instabilities. Avalanche control using explosives triggered large storm and persistent slabs with wide propagation. Some avalanche debris reached as far as the road.Tuesday Maligne patrol saw no new avalanches

Snowpack Summary

Up to 60 cm of new snow fell over the weekend. Below this fresh snow, the snowpack is complex, with multiple crusts and facet layers creating persistent weak layers. The bottom of the snowpack consists primarily of weak facets and depth hoar.

Weather Summary

Thursday

Snow.

Accumulation: 22 cm.

Alpine temperature: High -2 °C.

Ridge wind light to 25 km/h.

Freezing level: 1800 metres.

Friday

Flurries.

Accumulation: 6 cm.

Alpine temperature: Low -11 °C, High -9 °C.

Ridge wind light to 20 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
  • Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.

Regions covered