Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 2nd, 2015 4:00PM

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

Landon Shepherd, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Visibility in the Alpine should improve on Wednesday with recent snowfall making for some good ski travel conditions at treeline and above.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Expect light snowfall to continue through Tuesday with continued moderate southerly winds and cool temperatures. Wednesday may see some patches of blue before warmer temperatures and a moist Pacific system begin to dominate the west starting Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Last weeks's warm temperatures and rain resulted in a widespread crust up to 2400m on all aspects. Higher elevations have wind affected surfaces in exposed areas and wind slabs on lee aspects. 15-20 cm of storm snow has accumulated over either crust or wind hammered snow. The snowpack is resting on weak basal facets that are 15cm-25cm deep.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported today. Visibility was poor due to cloudy conditions and snowfall.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Problems

Wind Slabs

Windslabs on lee features will continue to develop throughout the storm. Continued moderate temperatures will help build windslabs and cornices over steeper features.

Avoid steep lee and cross-loaded features

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This layer remains a concern in isolated areas above treeline and may be triggered by large loads such as cornices or from shallow areas by skiers. The entire snowpack throughout the forecast region is riding on 15 to 25cm of depth hoar.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 3rd, 2015 4:00PM