Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 23 – 24, 2021
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Very stiff windslab proving difficult to initiate but, propagating widely in connected features. Be extremely cautious at all elevations.

Icefields Parkway will remain closed to allow for clearing debris. 

Check Alberta 511 for latest updates.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Severe SW winds have stripped, and transported snow from many areas in the alpine and treeline.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Loose dry, spindrift avalanches remain a problem for ice climbers

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Caution in thin snowpack areas where triggering is more likely. This is a low probability but high consequence problem.

Weather Forecast

Low pressure will continue to produce scattered flurries across the Rockies with trace to light snow amounts. Ridge top winds westerly 30 km/h veering to northwest, 20 in the afternoon. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong ridge top winds from the SW have created wind slabs or hard surface conditions in alpine and tree line features. In sheltered areas the top 30-60cm is faceted snow over a supportive mid-pack where the snowpack is deeper. Thin snowpack areas are weak, un-supportive, and facetted.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche control on the Icefields Parkway produced results up to size 3 in the Parkers Ridge zone. These slabs initially proved to be very stubborn to initiate but, propagated long and deep.

Confidence

Regions covered