Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 14th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Cupid is evil! He gave us new and building wind slab just to ruin the riding! Sandwiched windslabs overlying weak facetted mid-pack is your Valentines gift. Be careful out there!

Summary

Weather Forecast

No love for the weather gods this Valentines day! They just constantly let me down! Temperatures will be seasonally reasonable, -6 to -7. It's the cold dead heart of the wind making me miserable! Consistent moderate to strong south, sw-ly winds blowing any new snow (5-10cms) into oblivion.

Snowpack Summary

Cooler temperatures are stabilizing the snowpack. Solar BTL locations have a terribly variable un-supportive 10cm crust. Windslab building at BTL locations and intense transport in ALP occurring. Persistent slab TL-ALP in midpack. Weak midpack and basal facets exist. Suspect decomposed surface hoar down 40cm. It's distribution is uncertain.

Avalanche Summary

Poor visibility Sunday. No new natural avalanches reported.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Previously formed slabs now comprise the upper and mid-pack in many locations. Natural and human triggered avalanches are possible.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Windslabs are building in isolated below treeline locations. Alpine is experiencing some intense transport as well. Caution on cross loaded gullies and steep lee aspects.

Be very cautious with gully features.Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 15th, 2016 4:00PM