Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 18th, 2016 4:00PM

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

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

There have been several reports of large avalanches in and around the forecast region. The best and safest skiing will be on sheltered tree-line slopes.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light snow and flurries will continue through Friday and Saturday with totals reaching 10 cm.Â Continued mod SW winds willÂ be moving this snow into slabs on lee aspects.Â Temperature trending cooler with improving overnight recovery.Â Clear skies by Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate SW winds have built wind slab at tree-line and above. These slabs may be up to 40cm thick and are weekly bonded to the snowpack below. The mid-pack consists of buried wind and persistent slab with a failure plane down 60cms. In the valley bottom the snowpack is very week and unconsolidated making for tough trail breaking.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches reported today and no avalanche patrol was conducted.Â Recent large isolated avalanches to size 3 have been reported in the alpine in Whistler Creek drainage.Â Remote triggering of slab avalanches is possible at tree-line and above in wind loaded features.

Confidence

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

Problems

Wind Slabs

Expect poorly bonded wind slab below ridge lines and cross-loaded features on open slopes.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Previously formed slabs now comprise the upper and mid-pack in many locations. Natural and human triggered avalanches are possible.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 19th, 2016 4:00PM