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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 23rd, 2020–Feb 24th, 2020
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

There are dramatic differences in the snowpack between the Icefields and Whistler creek areas. Whistler area is significantly less supportive to skiers and is shallower. A large avalanche was skier triggered in that area on Feb 16.

Weather Forecast

Monday cloudy with isolated flurries, a little bit of snow, -10 C, and West winds 10-20 km/h. Tuesday will be cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries, -18 to -10 C, and Southwest winds 15 km/h.

Find the Alberta Rockies weather synopsis here: Mountain Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Widespread hard slab on most surfaces treeline and above. Scouring has occurred on windward alpine slopes and wind pressed or wind slabs on lee aspects. Solar crusts on solar aspects up to 2500m now buried by 5cm new snow. The mid-pack is bridging the deep basal facets and depth hoar except in shallow and steep rocky areas. 

Avalanche Summary

No field patrol on Sunday. Maligne and Icefields patrol on Saturday noted nothing new. No new avalanches reported from field team in the Circus valley near Portal creek on Friday.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs are widespread through the region with new and previous loading in lee features. Sensitivity will vary with local loading and wind patterns. Triggering a wind slab has the potential to activate the deep persistent slab.

  • Watch for pockets of hard windslab in steep alpine terrain features..
  • Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Triggering could occur from shallow snowpack areas or from large loads such a cornice failure. The consequences of triggering would be severe!

  • Avoid steep convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.
  • Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5