Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 20 – 21, 2021
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Archived · expired 6 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Monitor the change in weather increasing the danger on Sunday and Monday with potentially 20cm of snow, extreme winds, rising temperatures and high relative humidity. Weather models are not agreeing.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind-slabs exist in the alpine and some locations have reported the 'hollow' noise while walking which can be a sign of potential instability. Continuing wind adds to this condition.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–3

    Caution in thin snowpack areas where triggering is more likely. This is a low probability but high consequence problem.

Weather Forecast

Saturday is expected to be sun and flurries, a trace of new snow, -11C, and Light gusting 60km/hr Westerly winds. Sunday will be a change in weather with periods of snow, 17cm during the day, -6 C, and 35 to 80 km/hr winds. On Monday, another 4cm of snow and gusting 80km/hr winds.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine winds have created wind slabs or hard surface conditions in high alpine lee features particularly where local terrain increases the wind action. The upper snowpack are facets and mixed forms over a supportive mid-pack. Thinner snowpack areas it is weak, un-supportive, and facetted.

Avalanche Summary

There was no field patrol on Friday. Thursday's patrol into Whistler creek did not note any new activity. Wednesday's patrol was cut short due to a rescue.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Regions covered