Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 16 – 17, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

The 35cm of precipitation that fell in the Columbia Icefields covers up a myriad of different snow surfaces. Great care is needed as you navigate through the terrain - particularly at tree-line and subalpine elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Where wind slabs overly the February 10th facet layer very touchy conditions exist. This is borne out by numerous incidents of skier accidental and remotely triggered avalanches in the last few days.

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    The 35cm of snow that fell in the last day has been observed to travel far and fast when it fails. Loose snow slides are likely with any solar affect particularly at lower elevations.

Weather Forecast

Snow for the southern region of the forecasting area ending tonight with light south westerly winds and cooling temps. Another pulse of snow is forecast for later in the week with some models giving a further 15cm of snow in the Icefields on Wednesday night.

Snowpack Summary

The Columbia Icefields received 35cm of low density snow overnight. Prior to that the alpine was found to be scoured old snow or hard windslabs.

Avalanche Summary

Limited observations today due to poor visibility on Highway 93 south. Recent remote and skier accidental avalanches as well as extensive whumphing of the snow pack at tree line and the sub alpine is the biggest concern and this problem layer is not likely to heal for the foreseeable future.

Confidence

Regions covered