Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 12 – 13, 2016Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

A widespread natural loose wet avalanche on west aspects below treeline occurred on Thursday.  Warm temperatures into the alpine have destabilized the snowpack.  Stay away from the steep slopes until temperatures cool down.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Previously formed slabs now comprise the upper and mid-pack in many locations. Natural and human triggered avalanches are possible.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Cloudy conditions on Friday should reduce this problem however caution is still advised as warm temperatures below treeline are expected to continue on Friday.  Best to avoid ice climbs on south to west aspects until the weekend.

Weather Forecast

Light snow beginning Friday and continuing through weekend.  Light SW winds will increase to moderate with snow.  Freezing level close to 2000m on Friday then falling to Sunday.  Major snow storm predicted for the beginning of the week.

Snowpack Summary

Continued warm temperatures softened alpine surface snow and weakened lower elevations snowpack making for moist/wet conditions. Slabs will persist at tree-line and above on North-Easterly aspects below ridge crests and cross-loaded terrain. The mid-pack is facetted, new snow interface is a concern along with a decomposed surface hoar down 40cm.

Avalanche Summary

Warm temperatures and strong solar induced a natural avalanche cycle  again on Wed. afternoon.  Numerous loose wet to sz 2 at lower elevations. Icefields Parkway was closed for control work on Thursday producing numerous loose wet avalanches to size 2 that crossed the highway and wet slabs that showed propagation up to 100m across.

Confidence

Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Regions covered