Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 13th, 2014 4:00PM

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

steve blagbrough, Parks Canada

Jasper.

The snow cover is presenting several avalanche problems that are quite elevation dependent. Pay attention to changing conditions as you move through the hills.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Some flurries of snow in the next 24 hours and light south westerly winds. More snow is forecast over the weekend with some models giving close to 20cm of snow in the Columbia Icefields area by Sunday night.

Snowpack Summary

Very strong winds and mild temperatures have lead to touchy slab conditions at tree line and in the alpine. The surface condition is now a stiff wind slab or old scoured snowpack on exposed slopes. Large cornices exist along ridge lines. Good skiing can still be found in sheltered locations.

Avalanche Summary

Field team remotely triggered several avalanches in the Parker Ridge and Hilda Creek area yesterday. These stiff slabs were easily triggered from adjacent slopes. Two cornice triggered slabs that stepped down to ground on steep rocky faces in the alpine was also observed yesterday.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent winds have created a slab condition in the alpine. Cornices are growing and we observed two cornice triggered avalanches yesterday.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

The recent storm snow, redistributed by wind is now over loading the snowpack. A field team in the Icefields area yesterday remotely triggered several slab avalanches and experienced extensive whumphing at tree line elevations.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Wet

Expect the avalanche danger on sheltered solar aspects to be suspect during the heat of the day.

Avoid ice climbs that are exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects.Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 14th, 2014 4:00PM