Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 29 – 30, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The Maligne Road will remain closed through the weekend for avalanche control. The Icefields Parkway is currently closed due to road conditions; Expected opening is Sunday afternoon by 12:00.  Call 780-852-3311 or visit www.511.alberta.ca for info.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Expect slabs in wind prone areas like below lee ridges at treeline and above and cross-loaded gulley features.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    The "drought layer" (Feb 10) has been dormant for over a week now. Warming temperatures and continued wind-loading could 'wake' this layer up.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Spring sun is gaining in intensity. Expect solar aspects to shed snow during the heat of the day, especially when the skies are clear.

Weather Forecast

Snowfall expected to resume Saturday night, bringing as much as 20cm by Monday morning.  Precipitation will then taper off with clearing skies midweek with light SW winds before a significant pressure drop and another storm late in the week. Freezing levels to remain below 1800m throughout the week. Solar radiation gaining strength.

Snowpack Summary

Total storm snow over the Mar 15 interface is approx. 45 cm but quite variable. Open areas in the southern forecast area are showing more surface wind effect. The Mar 15 interface is weak made up of facets over variable surfaces depending on aspect and exposure. Little slab development has been observed to date.

Avalanche Summary

One skier accidental size 2.5 slab was reported from Thursday afternoon in the Shangri-La area. Road patrols in the Columbia Icefield Area on Saturday reported a size 2.5 storm slab on an East aspect at 2400m and several smaller storm slabs (sz 1) on steep alpine terrain. Solar aspects were shedding in the afternoon when the sun came out. 

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Regions covered