Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 12 – 13, 2019Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 8 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Cold temperatures continue to weaken the snowpack, especially in shallow areas.  The current avalanche problems will persist until this pattern changes.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Cold temperatures continue to weaken the surface snow.  Expect sluffing out of steep rocky terrain.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3.5
    This is still present and could still be triggered from shallow snowpack areas. See MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

50cm from Feb 2nd was followed by strong N winds. Ongoing cold temps have weakened the structure of the slab over the persistent weakness below, which consists of surface hoar, crusts, and/or facets. The basal snowpack is structurally weak in shallow areas, consisting primarily of facets/depth hoar (ongoing cold temps are not helping).

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry avalanches up to size 2 have been naturally triggered in the facetting snowpack in steep shallow areas over the past 2-3 days. On Feb 7th, a size 2 deep persistent slab was triggered by skiers in the Maligne area on a W aspect, 1950m, on a 30 degree slope (see MIN).

Confidence

Weather Forecast

Lows on the South Coast will usher in scattered high cloud and possibly some flurries.Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with flurries. Light winds. Alpine temps Low -21°C, High -17°C.Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud, Light winds. Alpine temps Low -18°C, High -13°C.A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

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