Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 24th, 2025–Feb 25th, 2025

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 possible, human triggered probable.

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.

Regions

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

The snowpack has changed significantly with the recent new snowfall (12 to 25cm).

Be cautious in all avalanche terrain while the snowpack is adjusting to the new snow load.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Control Work in the Icefields found a reactive storm slab 20-50cm deep. New snow centralized around the Parkers Ridge region (25cm); Maligne Valley received 12cm. Serious avalanche conditions persist through many forecast regions.

Snowpack Summary

24 cm snowfall over 24 hours is very centralized to Parkers Ridge and tampers off quickly, both north and south along the Icefields Parkway. This new storm slab overlies well-developed surface hoar and previous wind effect in exposed treeline and alpine elevations. Limited snowfall throughout the rest of the bulletin region, especially below 1500m where warm temps and rain have soaked the weak snowpack below treeline.

Weather Summary

Overnight Cloudy with clear periods. Alpine temperature: Low -8 °C. Mostly light winds.

Tuesday A mix of sun and cloud. No Precipitation. Alpine temperature: High -3 °C. Light winds. Freezing level: 1800m.

Wednesday Sunny with cloudy periods. No Precipitation. Alpine temperature: Low -7 °C, High -2 °C. Mostly light wind, gusting to 30 km/h. Freezing level: 1900m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.