Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 2nd, 2017 4:00PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

mark herbison, Parks Canada

Jasper.

The avalanche hazard will increase throughout the day on Friday as a storm is predicted to bring up to 20-40 cm of snow with strong southerly winds.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Depending on which forecast you look at we can expect to see 20-40cm of snow within the next 36 hours... At least they all agree it will snow! Winds will be range from 25-60km/hr from the southwest with an Alpine temps between -5 to -10. The storm will end Saturday, winds will become light and temps will drop to -15.

Snowpack Summary

Strong SW winds building windslab over previous windslabs and facets on alpine and open treeline slopes. Below treeline is unsupportive with weak facets and depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

Several natural avalanches reported up to Sz 2 along the Icefields Parkway over the last few days.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Friday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs are building on lee aspects and will increase in reactively throughout the day on Friday.

Use caution in lee and cross-loaded areas. Recent wind loading has created new wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

Trigger possible from shallow spots.

Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Persistent slabs are buried under the light snow that has accumulated. Be vigilant particularly in sheltered spots where buried surface hoar may exist.

Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 3rd, 2017 4:00PM