Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 27th, 2014 4:00PM

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

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Cold daytime temps returning to the forecast area and the sunshine continues.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Clear skies and cold temperatures are expected to return overnight and day time temperatures could be in the negative high teens and remain like that through the weekend. Snow is in the forecast but not likely to materialize until after the weekend.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is well settled with a very supportive mid-pack above 1,900m. Within this elevation range a concerning weakness can be found consisting of decomposing surface hoar and or facetted grains. This may be found 30-70cm down. Currently a failure is hard to trigger. Solar facing slopes below 1,900m will have a sun crust.

Avalanche Summary

No new natural avalanches were observed or reported.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Carefully evaluate ridge top transitions and start zones where the winds have pressed the surface into a slab. 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.Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

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

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

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 28th, 2014 4:00PM