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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Apr 3rd, 2025–Apr 4th, 2025
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

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

Surface instabilities are becoming more likely with increased solar warming. Small avalanches have a high potential to step down, initiating large dangerous avalanches.

It's a good time to avoid all overhead hazard and stick to mellow, supported terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Throughout the week, large avalanches up to size 3 have been failing on a persistent weak layer in the snowpack. These avalanches have the potential triggered by cornice or loose wet failures caused by solar warming or sympathetically from nearby avalanches. Loose dry avalanches have also occurred out of steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

There is 10-35 cm of new snow in the icefields area. 50 cm of new snow has been reported on top of the Columbia Icefields. This new snow sits on a crust on all but due north aspects. 1-5mm Surface hoar sits on top of this crust in many areas. A 50-100 cm mid-pack rests on top of weak facets. The lower snowpack consists of depth hoar and breaking down crusts. Tree line snow depth is 110-170 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday

Sunny, Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: High -4 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h. Freezing level: 2000 metres.

Saturday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -4 °C, High -2 °C. Ridge wind southwest: 10 km/h. Freezing level: 2200 metres.

Sunday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -2 °C, High 1 °C. Ridge wind south: 10 km/h. Freezing level: 2700 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
  • Loose avalanches may step down to deeper layers, resulting in larger avalanches.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

Small avalanches have the potential to step down to this deeper problem layer, made up of buried weaker facets below an crust formed earlier in the season.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Loose Wet

This will form on solar aspects, starting around rocks and trees that may contribute to warming the snow around them.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Cornices

Solar warming may result in cornice failure, acting as a large trigger on the slope below. Avoid overhead exposure containing overhanging cornices.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3