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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 19th, 2017–Mar 20th, 2017
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
4: High
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be high
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

Check Alberta 511 for projected opening times and date for the Icefields Parkway (93N).

Weather Forecast

Storm exits and in comes a weak high pressure and inflow of cooler air for a few days. Alpine temps to dip below -15 for Monday morning with clearing skies. Strong solar influence can be expected and will likely wake up an already stressed snowpack on any south aspect, especially below treeline as freezing levels are again expected to rise to 2000m

Snowpack Summary

+50cm HST this month redistributed with Mod SW winds. Deeply loaded (100+ cm) lee areas with unpredictable spacial variability. Buried localized solar, rain and melt-freeze crusts, up to 2000+m on S and 1600m in the N asp. New snow weakly bridging a faceted older snow pack. Morphing interfaces scattered, at depth through the midpack to ground.

Avalanche Summary

Historically quiet avalanche paths running full path and hitting the highway. Historically active paths, acting normal and hitting the highway.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

50+cm of storm snow over the week has formed a dangerous windslab. Wide crowns up to 2m deep have been seen from Maligne to Parkers area. Moderate to strong SW winds and warm temps will keep this layer very active.
It is a good time to stay within the boundaries of a ski resort.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

The widespread observations of large and deep avalanches indicates strongly that many of these events are from this instability. Increased loading and warm temperatures will keep this layer active.
Be careful with low angle slopes that may not normally be a concern.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 4