Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 26th, 2014 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Sheltered areas at tree line and below are offering up fantastic skiing and deep trail breaking. Convective pulses of snow have brought varied amounts throughout the region; be wary of these areas where wide variations and localized wind exist.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Pulses of snow, heavy at times fell in the forecast area over the day Wednesday and snowfall amounts vary widely through the region. This is expected to continue through the night and into the day Thursday. The wind continues to be light to moderate and you can expect ridge tops to be blowing and transporting the new snow.

Snowpack Summary

Total storm snow over the Mar 15 interface is approx. 40 cm but quite variable. Open areas in the southern forecast area are showing more surface wind effect. The Mar 15 interface is weak; facets over variable surfaces depending on aspect and exposure but very little slab development in the storm snow.

Avalanche Summary

Sluffing from steep east facing rock slab alpine features observed today in the Winston Churchill region. Overall visibility poor above treeline.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Expect to find new slabs in wind prone areas on lee ridges at treeline and above and in cross-loaded gulley features. Loading continues in these open areas and can overload the slope quickly.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Lee features continue to load and the potential exists to trigger these deep instabilities. Carefully evaluate your time spent under overhead hazard before committing to terrain.

Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 27th, 2014 4:00PM