Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 6th, 2026–Apr 7th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

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

5–10 cm of new snow overnight Monday with wind, will likely create new wind slabs on exposed north aspects. Distribution is expected to be variable, with isolated pockets of instability in the alpine at ridgetop, on cross-loaded, and in lee features.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet natural avalanche cycle up to size 2 at tree line and below on solar aspects. We are still seeing some sporadic natural slab avalanches on the persistent weak layer.

Snowpack Summary

Dry snow can still be found in shady aspects above tree line. 20-40 cm below, a firm rain crust from late March is supportive at low elevations but gradually disappears above tree line, around 2300 m. A deeper persistent weak layer from late January exists in the alpine down 80–120 cm. The lower snowpack is generally strong although weak basal facets can still be found in shallow areas.

Weather Summary

Tonight: Flurries. ~6 cm. Low -8 °C. Winds south, 20 km/h gusting to 80.

Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud. Flurries, trace. High -6 °C. Wind west, 25 km/h gusts to 80.

Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud. Flurries, trace. Low -13 °C, High -2 °C. Mostly light winds, gusts to 55 km/h. Freezing level: 2000 metres.

Thursday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Flurries, trace. Low -10 °C, High -2 °C. Light wind. Freezing level: 1800 metres.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.

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 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.

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.