Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 26 – 27, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Cautious decisions are key particularly on large and specific terrain features or those around terrain traps. Forecasters do not have much confidence in the snowpack. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    The previous windslabs has evolved into a persistent slab buried under 5-10cm of new snow. It potentially overlies a buried surface hoar from Feb 10 but hard to locate. Be vigilant particularly in sheltered spots preserving the buried surface hoar.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks in previously un-skied terrain. It seems to be improving but suspect pockets of weakness waiting for the trigger. 

Weather Forecast

Flurries now to Tuesday. Expect Sunday to be lows of -21 with L-NE winds. Will warm up again slightly Monday to Tuesday. 

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs evolving into persistent slab at TL and ALP buried by 5-10cm of new snow. A rain crust is below 1900m. A dense upper snowpack overlies a weak faceted base making for unpredictably dangerous avalanche conditions. Feb 10 SH layer may be 40cm deep yet its reactivity remains dormant.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new noted on Saturday. Friday's patrol observed 2 avalanches remotely triggered by skiers size 1.5-2 in Columbia Icefield area at 2000m treeline elevation. Two size 2-2.5 noted in the alpine south of Parkers ridge. One was a cross-loaded NW alpine feature, the other was triggered by cornice failure. 

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Regions covered