Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 13th, 2019 4:00PM

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

Timothy Johnson, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Don't break someone's heart on Valentines Day. Stay smart and pick your lines appropriately.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure is along the rockies providing warmer and stable weather until Thursday evening when a frontal system moves in bringing some precipitationThursday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridge winds from the SE at 10 km/h. Alpine temps: High -7C.A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

Some wind affect noted in the alpine and at tree line. Due to the cold temperatures there seems to be no slab over the persistent weakness sitting down 35-45cm (surface hoar, crusts, and/or facets). The bottom of the snowpack is structurally weak especially in shallow snowpack areas, consisting primarily of facets/depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

One notable windslab in the alpine stepping down to ground yesterday. Loose dry avalanches up to size 2 have been naturally triggered in the facetting snowpack in steep shallow areas.On Feb 7th, a size 2 deep persistent slab was triggered by skiers in the Maligne area on a W aspect, 1950m, on a 30 degree slope (see MIN).

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind effect in the alpine and tree line. In the right spot you could trigger a windslab.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem is still present and could be triggered from shallow snowpack areas. See MIN report.

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2019 4:00PM