Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2014 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 Persistent Slabs.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Cold temps and sun shine will dominate this weekend, bundle up and look for good skiing in sheltered areas! "The Burn" in the Beauty Creek area is now open for fresh tracks this weekend.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Overnight temperatures are headed way down into the sub -20 to -30 range with little recovery during the day and a forecasted moderate breeze through the weekend. This will make travel into open terrain above tree line potentially pretty miserable.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is well settled with a supportive mid-pack above 1,900m. Above this elevation a concerning weakness can be found consisting of decomposing surface hoar and or facetted grains. This may be found 30-70cm down. Moderate winds have stiffened the surface snow in open areas above tree line. Solar aspects below 1,900m will have a sun crust.

Avalanche Summary

One avalanche observed in a open, south facing, cross-loaded gully feature at 2500m on a 35 degree slope. This was likely the result of the current wind transport and overloading ofÂ the facet layer down 50-70cms.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate north winds have begun to load and stiffen up the surface slabs in open areas. This slab rests above a persistent facet layer 30cm to 45cm down.

The best powder will be found in sheltered locations at or below treeline.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The strong mid-pack is bridging the layer well through the forecast area. Its spatial variability over the terrain does make it difficult to predict and snowpack tests show it to be very weak. Be careful in shallow start zones.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Avoid steep slopes below cornices.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2014 4:00PM