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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 20th, 2013–Mar 21st, 2013
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

A cooling trend is on the way beginning Thursday.  Good skiing can still be found on sheltered treeline slopes.

Weather Forecast

Up to 10 cm of warm snow will fall over Wednesday night followed by a sharp drop in temperatures along with gusty moderate West winds.  The cool temperatures will continue Thursday along with light flurries.  More snow expected on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

90cm of snow has fallen since March 13.  Soft slabs continue to form in the alpine and at treeline on wind exposed slopes from gusty moderate S to SW winds. Previous North winds have reverse loaded gully features.  At treeline, soft slabs rest on a suncrust 80 cm deep in south facing terrain. The snowpack is generally supportive below treeline.

Avalanche Summary

A recent helicopter flight revealed that a significant avalanche cycle occurred on N to NE alpine slopes to size 3 and on terrain as low as 25 degrees.  All of these avalanches involved the recent storm snow.  The likely trigger for this cycle was continued wind loading along with an increase in temperature. 

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Thursday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Deep windslabs continue to develop.  Previous winds from the north and south will be replaced by gusty moderate west winds overnight.  Because of this loading pattern, expect slab conditions on a wide variety of aspects.
Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3