Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 10th, 2020–Mar 11th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper.

Ski quality likely holding below treeline as extreme winds blast the alpine.  Look for slab formation in non typical areas low in start zones and cross loaded features. 

Weather Forecast

A low pressure system will bring light precip tonight through the am with strong to extreme SW winds. Unsettled weather through the week with decreasing temps.

Tonight: flurries to 5cm and overnight 5cm. Ridge winds SW strong to extreme.

Wed: isolated flurries. Alp High -10 °C. Ridge winds W mod.

More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme SW winds transporting available fetch to outer space and lee aspects forming new windslab low in start zones. The Icefields has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern region is weak and shallow; bridging over the basal weakness is less reliable BTL.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed today. Numerous older loose dry observed on Sunday in the alpine up to size 2 in both the Icefields and Maligne zones . A size 2 cornice release was also observed entraining storm snow from a steep lee feature.

Share your observations: Mountain Information Network

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.