Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 21 – 22, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Conditions remain unpredictable with whumphing noted. Consequences of being caught would be severe. Be cautious in recently opened Caribou closure areas. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    25cm HST and moderate SW winds have added to the windslab problem in the alpine and open tree-line features.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks in previously un-skied terrain. Recent natural activity up to Sz 3 failing on the weak faceted snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Sun and cloud with light flurries the next few days. Temperatures are cooling slightly into the -12 to -16 range. Winds may shift Northerly on Wednesday. No significant snow is expected.

Snowpack Summary

25cm new snow and warm temperatures last week at the Columbia Icefields with 35km/hr SW winds built a windslab at TL and ALP. A rain crust exists below 1900m. The dense upper snowpack overlies a weak faceted lower pack making for  unpredictable and dangerous avalanche conditions.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday several size 2-3 avalanches were remote triggered by skiers a significant distance away in the McCarib Pass area. Several avalanches to Sz 3 occurred Saturday along the Parkway with one dusting the highway from Mt. Wilson. Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks were noted in the Whistler creek area on all elevations.

Confidence

Regions covered