Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 13 – 14, 2014Parks Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map

Highlights

We received variable amounts from 2-15cm with winds coming from all directions. Does not seem like allot but wind loading can quickly triple the depth. Give the storm snow a few days to heal. Won't take long with warm temperatures. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    15cm of new snow with variable wind directions and speeds have translated to wind loaded pockets of storm slab potentially 45cm thick overlying weak surface facets. More snow Thurs-Fri will add to this condition. Loose avalanches are also possible.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–4
    Bridging above this layer makes it stubborn to initiate; however, it will be big when it goes. A sudden warming, large additional snowload, large triggers, or surface avalanches may tip the scale. Be aware of thin locations as likely trigger spots.

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather until Saturday. Expect 5-10cm on Thursday with another 5-10cm on Friday accompanied by light to gusting moderate ridgetop SW winds. Freezing levels will hover around 1000m with slight warming trend Friday and clearing skies on Saturday potentially spiking the temperature on solar aspects.

Snowpack Summary

A storm brought 10-15cm. It overlies a potential sliding layer 20cm down of surface facets/surface hoar. Variable wind directions are developing slabs on all aspects but pay particular attention to NE aspects where loading patterns could triple the slab thickness. A hard mid-pack is bridging weak basal facets at tree line and above.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported but visibility was minimal. Expecting some direct action storm snow avalanches in the alpine from this new snow plus what's going to accumulate and windload over the next few days.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Thursday

Regions covered