Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 11th, 2018 4:01PM

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

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Spring has sprung. An early start, and avoidance during the heat of the day is essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain right now.

Summary

Weather Forecast

An upper level ridge remains over our area until mid-week.Monday: Sunny, Alpine High 0, Low -3. Ridge winds Light West. Freezing Level 2300m.Tuesday: Sunny, Alpine High 2, Low -2. Ridge winds Light SW. Freezing level 2600m.Wednesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Snowpack Summary

A melt freeze cycle is in progress at treeline and below. Expect moist surface snow and loose wet avalanches on solar aspects in the afternoon. In open areas in the alpine and at treeline the upper snowpack is generally wind effected. Previous cold temps have left a weak mid and lower snowpack structure in most locations.

Avalanche Summary

A loose wet natural avalanche cycle to size 2.0 was observed on a road patrol in the Maligne area on Sunday. Avalanche control at Marmot Basin on Saturday produced a size 2.0 cornice failure and one size 2.0 windslab avalanche. Report of an avalanche involvement on Kitty Hawk Satruday. Report of an avalanche on Polar Circus Friday.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Late afternoon problem in steep, solar rocky terrain. Also found to be entraining the surrounding, facetted snowpack and will build up volume and speed quickly.

Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

As daily temperature swings push further and further in to the upper snowpack, slab avalanches may occur at several interfaces within the facetted and structurally weak mid and lower snowpack.

Travel early before the heat of the day melts surface crusts, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.Be wary of large slopes that did not previously avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 12th, 2018 4:00PM