Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 10th, 2013 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Monday will be mostly clouds and moderate Northwest winds with only light snow flurries. A system will begin to enter the area from the South by Tuesday afternoon and may bring some significant snowfall by Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures will warm during the storm and be accompanied by moderate to strong Southwesterly winds.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs are developing below alpine lee ridge lines with steady moderate to strong Westerly winds. In sheltered areas, the recent storm snow has settled and bonded well. Expect a suncrust on southerly alpine and treeline aspects.

Avalanche Summary

One new size 2 slab on steep non- skiable rock slabs was seen on an easterly aspect. Of note were two previous size 3 avalanches on the same range that must have occurred earlier in the week directly following the storm. Saturday's heli bombing had good results on the settled pockets of storm slabs above the Maligne Road on the Medicine Slabs.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong Westerly winds continue to form wind slabs below lee ridgelines and terrain features through Sunday night.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

The storm slabs remain soft where the wind has not firmed them up. Soft slab conditions also exist on gully sidewalls and some large alpine slopes.

Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

If the sun peaks out, loose avalanches with significant mass may occur. They are initiating out of steep West or South facing high elevation rocks or gullies.

The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 11th, 2013 4:00PM