Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 7th, 2019–Mar 8th, 2019

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper.

Pay close attention to solar radiation and avoid being below big terrain when this in full effect particularly in the afternoon.

Weather Forecast

The cold ridge of high pressure has finally broke down by a series of lows moving inland bringing warmer moister air and a little precip over the region. Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine High -8 C, Low -15 C. Snowfall up to 10cm across the range with light winds SW gusting Moderate.Mountain weather forecast available at Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of new snow through Friday and moderate winds could create new windslabs in the alpine. New snow will bury a new surface hoar layer, facets and crusts. The upper snowpack remains generally facetted. The mid and lower snowpack is facetted but still generally carries skis. Below treeline warmer daytime temps will weaken the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

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.

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.