Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 23rd, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Cornices.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Significant warming expected through the weekend. Time to get your head wrapped around the spring cycle. Get out early and back early!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cool overnight temperatures warming to just below zero in the Alpine. Anywhere from 3 to 12cms by tomorrow morning depending on the forecast, my bet is for...4cms. Freezing levels rising to 1500ms should keep the crust intact for the day and improve travel conditions. Moderate and gusty SW winds overnight and through the day Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Moist surface snow and, where a shallower snowpack exists, isothermal conditions BLT on solar aspects with some recovery overnight. Overall, the snowpack is shallow but there is significant variation through-out the forecasting area. The persistent slab, down 30-70cms has been most active in the surrounding area off the ski hill.

Avalanche Summary

Nothing new to report.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

This problem is still most concerning and most active in the Whistler/Portal Creek area.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Cornices

First indicators of this problem showing up. Easy enough to avoid but, larger slides, triggered in the deep weaknesses can quickly become a significant issue for groups traveling in the valley bottoms or run outs.

Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones.Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 24th, 2016 4:00PM