Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 25 – 26, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Avoid all big avalanche terrain that hasn't recently run.  The deep persistent slab is easily triggered from weak spots resulting in large full path avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–3
    Windslabs exist at treeline and above on lee aspects. No recent natural activity has been observed however human triggering is possible.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Large cornices on ridge top lee features.  Recent cornice failure has triggered large avalanches from alpine terrain.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2–4
    The deep persistent slab can be triggered by travelers from shallow or weak locations or naturally from large loads such as cornice failure or windslab avalanches.  On Mar 25, skiers triggered a sz 3 on this layer.

Weather Forecast

Continued cool temps into next week with light flurries and SW winds.  Cloudy skies with sun expected on Tuesday. 

Snowpack Summary

The main concern in the snowpack at tree-line and above is the deep persistent slab over weak facet layer at ground. This slab can be triggered by travelers from shallow or weak locations or naturally from large loads such as cornice failure or windslab avalanches. All steep loaded slopes that have not recently avalanched should be avoided.

Avalanche Summary

A size 3 skier accidental slab avalanche was reported Saturday afternoon north of the Icefields on a NE aspect at tree-line. The avalanche was triggered from below as group worked their way through the trees. It was triggered from a whumph and propagated wide and ran to ground. One member was partially buried with no injuries.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Sunday

Regions covered