Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 21st, 2026–Apr 22nd, 2026

Alpine

Spring Conditions

Treeline

Spring Conditions

Below Treeline

Spring Conditions

Alpine

Spring Conditions

Treeline

Spring Conditions

Below Treeline

Spring Conditions

Alpine

Spring Conditions

Treeline

Spring Conditions

Below Treeline

Spring Conditions

Regions

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

Natural avalanche activity is expected to taper off with forecasted gradually cooling temperatures.

Be cautious in any steep terrain where the snow feels wet or punchy, or if it's facing into strong sun.

Confidence

Avalanche Summary

Numerous natural avalanches were observed during the heat of the day on Tuesday in the icefields area. Loose Wet and Wet Slabs up to size 3 with most initiating in steep tree line and low alpine features. Some were failing in the mid-pack, and some were failing at ground depending on how isothermal the snowpack in that location.

Snowpack Summary

Melt-freeze crusts or wet snow exists on all aspects except North alpine, with many areas in some state of transition toward isothermal. The high alpine is still holding on to a winter snowpack on NW to NE aspects with the Jan 24th PWL down 80 to 120cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High 1 °C.

Ridge wind north: 15 km/h gusting to 40 km/h.

Freezing level: 2400 metres.

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: Low -10 °C, High -8 °C.

Ridge wind north: 25 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C, High -7 °C.

Ridge wind north: 20 km/h gusting to 55 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Terrain and Travel Advice

A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.