Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 6th, 2016 4:00PM

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

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

There are significant differences in the snowpack in the forecast area. Remote triggering on low angle terrain has been reported in Whistler/Portal Creek area. Tests such as ski cutting and pits are not reliable. Avoid steep unsupported slopes.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Flurries to produce 10 cm by Wednesday.Â Winds expected to be light.Â Temperatures and freezing level steadily falling into the middle of the week.

Snowpack Summary

Warm flurries coming in with light SE wind are forming wind slab in lee and cross-loaded terrain above 2000m that are bonding well.Â The persistent slab is down 40-70cm and is easily triggered in the Whistler/Portal areas even on low angle slopes but is stubborn in the Icefields. Lower snowpack is facetted is extremely weak.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations today but reports of numerous remotely triggered avalanches to size 2 on slope angles as little as 15 deg around Marmot Pass along with widespread whumphing and cracking.Â Whumphing and cracking also noted in the Maligne area.Â In contrast, no reports of any propagations in the Icefields area.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations on Monday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

This problem is very active in the Whistler/Portal Creek area with remotely triggered avalanches being reported on very low angle terrain. The problem is also active in the Maligne area but is stubborn in the Icefields area.

Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent slopes.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Expect slab development immediate to lee ridge lines and cross loaded features. Bonding should be good but progress cautiously into steeper terrain.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 7th, 2016 4:00PM