Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 8th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Human triggering remains a possibility. A strong, thick supportive mid-pack over the basal weakness is critical to safe travel, especially in shallow snowpack regions. Ice climbers should be wary of loose dry avalanches in gulleys.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Saturday will be cloudy, no precipitation, alpine temperatures high -20 C, and light East Ridge winds. Sunday will be sunny with cloudy periods, no precipitation, alpine temperature low -23 C and high -14 C with light ridge winds.A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

50cm from Feb 2nd was followed by strong Northerly winds and cold temperatures. This snow overlies a dormant but persistent weaknesses of surface hoar, crusts, and/or facets. Cold temps have weakened the structure of the slab over this layer and it lays dormant, for now. A deep persistent basal facet/depth hoar weakness exists in shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

On Feb 7th, 3 people were involved in a sz 2 in the Surprise Valley area of Maligne. This area is typically shallow and facetted with a weaker mid-pack. Slide was triggered in the basal weakness while traveling through the trees on a W aspect, 1950m, on a 30Â° slope. One member was fully buried and located and recovered by their partners.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Expect sluffing out of steep rocky terrain

Be cautious with gully features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Just a reminder, this is still there and can still be triggered from shallow snowpack areas. See avalanche activity summary.

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 9th, 2019 4:00PM