Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 10th, 2013 4:00PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Enjoy the blue skies and excellent ice climbing conditions.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Winds to remain light, with partly cloudy skies and no new precipitation until Tuesday.Â Models indicate that we may receive up to 20cm on Tuesday. This amount of new snow will increase the avalanche danger significantly.

Snowpack Summary

There is a widespread hard persistent slab bridging the weak basal facets above treeline.Â Light flurries over the past 3 days have left 5 - 10cm of new snow in some areas. This snow is forming new slabs sitting on the persistent slab and may be reactive to light triggers. This interface warrants field testing. Below treeline the mid-pack is weak.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent snowfall amounts vary depending on location. Reports from Shangri-La indicate as much as 10cm of new snow.� This new snow is forming wind slabs that are sitting on the previous widespread hardslab and may be sensitive to light triggers.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be careful with wind loaded pockets

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The hard windslabs that dominate the alpine snowpack have been unreactive lately. It still may be possible to trigger an avalanche on steep unsupported terrain from thin areas and edges of these slabs.

Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 11th, 2013 4:00PM