Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 13th, 2013 4:00PM

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

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The weather forecast calls for sunny with variable clouds and the occasional light snow flurry with very little snowfall until the weekend. The weekend may produce some additional new snow. Temperatures should stay in the -2 to -10 C range.

Snowpack Summary

Hard windslab is bridging the weak basal facets above treeline. Today's field trip produced a single large whumpf in a flat area which shows the potential of triggering a slab from shallow snowpack areas. Last night's frontal passage was underwhelming and brought only sporadic snowfalls of 3 to 12cm. Below treeline, the mid-pack is weak.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose snow avalanches originating from a reverse loaded ridge top with a south east aspect in the alpine. The avalanche patrol was from Jasper to Saskatchewan crossing and return indicating that not much is happening.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Saturday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Yesterday's frontal passage produced only sporadic snowfalls ranging from 3 to 12cm. This was redistributed by moderate to strong SW winds overnight and through most of today. Expect lee sides of terrain features to have soft slabs on them.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The hard windslabs that dominate the alpine snowpack have been unreactive lately. It still may be possible to trigger an avalanche on steep unsupported terrain from thin areas and the edges of these slabs.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2013 4:00PM