Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2014 4:00PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Significant storm expected to arrive by mid-day Tuesday with steady snowfall and increased winds.

Summary

Weather Forecast

5cm in the next couple of days. Significant storm expected to move in by mid-day Tuesday bringing as much as 50cm to the Columbia Icefields area. Winds expected to increase on Wednesday, with good potential for a reverse loading pattern. Temps to remain cool and freezing levels below treeline.

Snowpack Summary

The ~40 cm of snow received last week has settled with little wind effect in most areas. Previous surfaces including sun crusts on solar aspects and wind slab below ridgelines and cross-loaded gulley features are buried and are hard to discern. The Feb10th drought layer is 50-100 cm deep and is the greatest concern.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations yesterday with observers in the Maligne and a helicopter flight in the Cavell Area. Several large avalanches were observed earlier this week. on the Feb 10th layer. These avalanches exhibited wide propagation primarily on big East facing alpine terrain.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The "drought layer" (Feb 10) has been sensitive in the past week contributing to numerous large avalanches. Pay particular attention to moraines at treeline and cross-loaded features in the alpine.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Windslabs continue to form and be covered by intermittent snowfall. Pay attention to wind affected terrain above treeline.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2014 4:00PM