Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 8 – 9, 2020Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Be cautious and assess each slope. The Icefields zone received 60cm of snow in a very short period on Jan 31. 

All signs are pointing toward an improving hazard but most slopes are untested.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    New and developing wind slabs are present in the forecast region. Their sensitivity will vary particularly  with local loading and wind patterns. 

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Shallow snowpack zones and/or large triggers such as cornice failures  could trigger this deep layer. The consequences would be severe!

Weather Forecast

Saturday will be a mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, 6cm of snow, -10 °C, and North winds 10-30 km/h. Sunday will be similar to Saturday with less snowfall.

See Weather synopsis here: Avalanche Canada Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50 cm of snow fell Jan 31st to Feb 1st in the forecast region. SW winds are creating windslabs with the new snow. The mid-pack bridging over deeper instabilities is supporting the new load over the basal facets and depth hoar. This new load and bridging has not been field tested thus treat the snowpack with caution.

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol on Friday and nothing new reported. Thursday's field patrol noted limited activity except for a couple of size 2.5-3 windslab avalanches on NE aspects from steep, rocky features on Mt. Athabasca and Cromwell in the Icefields zone.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Regions covered