Avalanche Forecast

Archived

May 1st, 2024–May 4th, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Below Threshold.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

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

An upslope storm could bring 30-50cm of snow for the Maligne lake area Wednesday-Thursday. The road is closed until Friday. Check Alberta 511 for updates. Icefields received 5-10cm improving ski conditions. Read the Avalanche Canada Forecasters Blog for resources on how to navigate the switch to spring.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Nothing of significance was observed on Wednesday's Maligne and Icefield patrols but visibility was very poor. Monday noted no new activity. JNP's neighbours have observed dry loose activity in the Alpine and wet loose at Treeline and below, all size 1 or less.

Snowpack Summary

Wednesday's snowfall amounts varied with Maligne receiving 30cm from an upslope storm and Icefield's 5-10cm. Some of the snow is being redistributed by alpine ridgetop winds. A cornucopia of crusts extend up to 2600m, on all aspects, and to ridgetop particularly on solar aspects.

Weather Summary

Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada

Thursday will be clouds, sun, 0 °C, light NE winds, and 2300m freezing level. Friday is going to be similar except for 2 °C and 2400m freezing level. Friday could be same as Thursday but with slightly warmer temperatures and a higher freezing level.

Temperatures are gradually increasing each day.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.