Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2014 4:00PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Hazard expected to increase with up to 20cm expected for the Columbia Icefields Area by Sunday night.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Moderate amounts of snow (10-15cm) in the Columbia Icefields tomorrow with more forecast into next week together with strong SW winds is going to increase the avalanche hazard.

Snowpack Summary

Recent snowfall overlies a layer of small surface hoar and surface facets. A relatively hard mid-pack is providing bridging strength over weak basal facets at tree line and above. Below tree line has a supportive (albeit shallow) mid-pack. Recent wind loading has produced touchy new slabs on Easterly terrain at treeline and above.

Avalanche Summary

Skier accidental at Marmot basin - size 1.5 on steep Easterly aspect below ridge top at 2100m. This slab was formed by recent loading of the new snow in the past 3 days and slid on the crust/facet interface down 40cm. No natural activity observed on road patrol between Jasper and Saskatchewan crossing.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Sunday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Recent slab formation overlies a persistent weak layer of surface hoar, facets and crusts found predominantly at treeline and below. This layer is going to become more reactive with the next pulse of snow which begins on Saturday night.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.Watch for terrain traps where small amounts of snow will acumulate into deep deposits.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Some pockets of wind slab exist in sheltered alpine features at ridge line. No natural activity was observed today but with more snow and strong SW winds we expect the hazard to increase through Saturday night and Sunday.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 16th, 2014 4:00PM