Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 18 – 19, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 2 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A substantial amount of new snow has accumulated over a weak underlying snowpack, creating a tense and unpredictable situation.

These conditions pose a significant risk of human-triggered avalanches on any slope, warranting extreme caution and careful risk assessment.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Developing, if triggered expect to initiate lower weaker persistent layers creating a large avalanche.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–3.5

    This avalanche problem is associated with a weak facet and crust layer buried at the end of January approximately 70cm down in sheltered areas. This includes a crust layer formed in early March below the recent storm snow which is prominent on solar aspects.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3.5

    Well developed facets and depth hoar at the bottom of the snow pack can produce large avalanches. Several big avalanches released during and immediately after the March 7th storm. Be suspicious of any slopes that have not released naturally.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Widespread evidence of avalanche cycle up to size 3.5. Regionally avalanche observations are typically deep, with wide propagations.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storms have brought a further 20-30cm adding to the previous 70-80cm since March 9th. Below this new load, the snowpack is complicated and reactive, having multiple crusts and facet layers including the deep persistent basal layer.

Weather Summary

Overnight: Clear periods. No Precip. Low -12 °C. Light winds.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. High -6 °C. Light winds. Freezing level: 1600m

Thursday: Cloudy with Sunny periods. No Precip. Low -8 °C, High -4°C. Light winds. Freezing level: 1700m

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Isolated flurries. Low -9 °C, High -4 °C. Light winds. Freezing level: 1800m

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.

Regions covered