Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 28 – 29, 2015Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Colder conditions should help in the recovery of the lower elevation snowpack. Any significant day time warming, solar effect or rain will lead to a rapid deterioration in the snowpack stability - thereby raising the likelihood of wet slides.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2
    Fresh wind slabs are likely on lee aspects and cross loaded features in high alpine locations.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3
    Large cornices or surface avalanches are the likely trigger.

Weather Forecast

Cooling temperatures overnight Saturday should help with a partial recovery of the lower elevation snowpack. Some snow above treeline is forecast for Sunday and Monday in the Icefields area.

Snowpack Summary

Warming and cooling cycle is creating a temperature crust on all aspects up to 2500m. Below this crust, a variety of layers exist with the weak basal facet layer being present in most areas at treeline and above. Any remaining snow on solar aspects below tree line has gone isothermal.

Avalanche Summary

The loose wet avalanche cycle that occurred on Friday has abated with field teams only observing two wet slides on northerly aspects to size 2. The size 3 slab on Mt. Saskatchewan that failed on the basal facet layer highlights the issue of this lingering deep persistent weakness.

Confidence

Timing of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Regions covered