Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 9 – 10, 2020Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 7 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Good riding conditions reported in both the Icefields and Maligne areas. Remain cautious when negotiating and assessing areas with obvious wind effect.  Ice climbers should be cautious of sluffing especially in confined gulleys.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Wind effect and windslab are common through the region with some reactivity in the immediate lee.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Ice climbers be cautious in areas where loading has stressed the snowpack. Top outs and ledges may be particularity sensitive due to recent snow and transport winds.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3.5

    Little recent activity on this layer, more likely to initiate it from large loads such as cornice fall or from shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Forecast

The Arctic air is being pushed out as a fast moving low from the gulf of Alaska moves inland bringing snow for Tue afternoon.  Tue - 9 cm. High -9 °C. Wind SW mod to strong.  Wed - Sunny and isolated flurries. Ppt Trace. High -10 °C. Wind W mod to strong.

More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to Strong SW winds transporting available fetch to lee aspects forming new windslab and encouraging loose, dry releases from steep terrain through the region. The Icefields has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern region is weak and shallow; bridging over the basal weakness is less reliable BTL.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed today. Numerous, older loose dry in the alpine, up to size 2 in both the Icefields and Maligne zones observed yesterday. A natural, older cornice release up to sz 2 observed, entraining HST from steep lee features and isolated windslabs with no propagation.

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Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Regions covered