Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 1st, 2024–Apr 2nd, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

Freezing levels are rapidly rising with strong wind and some snow expected throughout the day. That's three red flags so keep it conservative and watch your overhead hazard :)

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A natural size 2.5 persistent slab was observed this morning on Mt. Muhigan near the Jasper townsite. NE aspect at approx 2400m.

Natural Size 1-2 wet slab avalanches were observed today on West aspects near Parkers Ridge and off Boundary Peak.

Snowpack Summary

Temperature crust on all aspects up to approx. 2300m. A sun crust will extend to higher elevations on solar aspects. 15-30cm of settling snow sits over the March 19th crust which is present everywhere except North aspects above 1900m. Widespread wind effect in the alpine. The Feb 3rd crust interface is down 30-90cm. Basal depth hoar and facets make up the bottom of the snowpack. HS ranges from 50 to 150cm.

Weather Summary

Mountain Weather Forecast is available @ Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Icefields Parkway

Overnight Freezing level 1700m

Tuesday Flurries with increasing clouds throughout the day. Accumulation 6 cm. Ridge wind SW 30 km/h gusting to 85. Freezing level 2500m

Wednesday Flurries. Accumulation 8 cm. Ridge wind SW 15 km/h gusting to 60. Freezing level 2100m

Thursday Rapid cooling

Terrain and Travel Advice

Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

Problems

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

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.

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.