Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 9th, 2019 4:00PM

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

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Human triggering remains possible. A thick supportive mid-pack is critical to safe travel. Shallow snowpack areas are more prone to trigger. Ice climbers must be vigilant for loose dry avalanches in gullies.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Sunday will be cloudy, no precipitation, alpine temperatures high -11 C, and light ridge winds. Sunday will be mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, alpine temperature low -22 C and high -14 C with light ridge winds. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

50cm from Feb 2nd was followed by strong Northerly winds and cold temperatures. This snow overlies a dormant but persistent weaknesses of surface hoar, crusts, and/or facets. Cold temps have weakened the structure of the slab over this layer and it lays dormant, for now. A deep persistent basal facet/depth hoar weakness exists in shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

A recent natural slab avalanche (Sz 2.5) was observed on a NW aspect, 2400m above Maligne Lake. On Feb 7th, 3 people were involved in a sz 2 in the Maligne area. The slide was triggered in the basal weakness while traveling through the trees on a W aspect, 1950m, on a 30 degree slope. One member was fully buried and recovered by their partners.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Expect sluffing out of steep rocky terrain. Cold temperatures continue to loosen the surface snow to the point where it looses structure and avalanches as a point release. They can pick up enough mass to be a concern.

Be cautious with gully features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Just a reminder, this is still present and can still be triggered from shallow snowpack areas. See avalanche activity summary.

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 10th, 2019 4:00PM