Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 8th, 2026–Apr 9th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Regions

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

A cool and quiet day is expected on Thursday.

The avalanche hazard will likely increase on Friday and Saturday as the temperatures are forecast to climb above freezing in the alpine.

Confidence

High

We are confident due to a stable weather pattern.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed in the last couple days.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10cm of new snow has been redistributed by previous SW winds, and overlies a sun crust on solar aspects. A thicker melt-freeze crust is found down 20–40 cm at tree line and below. The Jan 24 persistent weak layer is 80–120 cm deep, and mainly a lingering concern in the alpine.

Weather Summary

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -3 °C.

Ridge wind light to 15 km/h.

Freezing level: 1900 metres.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -5 °C, High 1 °C.

Ridge wind light to 15 km/h.

Freezing level: 2400 metres.

Saturday

Cloudy with sunny periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -1 °C, High 4 °C.

Ridge wind light to 15 km/h.

Freezing level: 2600 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.