Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 9 – 10, 2013Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Highlights

The avalanche hazard will spike in the afternoon with warm temperatures and intense solar radiation.  The Maligne Road remains closed , avalanche control planned on Saturday afternoon.  A late afternoon closure of the Icefields Parkway is possible. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    As the sun peaks out and warms up the day, loose avalanches with significant mass are occurring with increased frequency. They are initiating out of steep W or S facing high elevation rocks or gullies.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Soft slabs are beginning to build along alpine ridgelines with moderate SW winds.  Otherwise, the storm slabs remain soft in nature as winds have yet to firm them up. Soft slab conditions also exist on gully sidewalls and some large alpine slopes.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Solar radiation and warm daytime temperatures will start to melt the new snow and penetrate the snowpack. This will create moist or wet point release avalanches on steep solar aspects at lower elevation to treeline.

Weather Forecast

The freezing level will approach 1800 m on Saturday afternoon with clear skies.  Winds will be light from the SW.  On Sunday, temperatures will moderate, skies will cloud over and light flurries are possible.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm snow appears to be bonding well to previous surfaces.  Soft slabs are developing below alpine lee ridge lines with gusty moderate SW winds . At lower elevations, this snow is sitting on a weak and faceted midpack. Snow that is plastered to steep rocky terrain will most likely sluff once exposed to the sun for prolonged periods.

Avalanche Summary

Temperatures today remained below freezing, however, several size 1-2 wet snow avalanches were observed on steep south facing slopes below treeline due to intense solar radiation.  On Saturday, temperatures will approach double digits with high solar radiation, this will result in a High avalanche danger.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Saturday

Regions covered