Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 9th, 2013 5:09PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Loose Dry.

Parks Canada a.l. horton, Parks Canada

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Jasper.

The Maligne Road should reopen by early Sunday afternoon.  Skiing will be good in sheltered areas.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Some light flurries (rain showers in valley bottoms) possible on Sunday as a frontal systems moves through.  Westerly winds will increase to strong and temperatures will be a little cooler than Saturday.  Another pulse of snow is forecasted as early as Monday night.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs are developing below alpine lee ridge lines with gusty moderate West winds.  In sheltered areas, the recent storm snow has settled and bonded well.   Expect a suncrust on southerly treeline aspects and  widespread suncrust over the recent storm snow at lower elevations.

Avalanche Summary

Heli bombing had good results on the settled pockets of storm slabs above the Maligne Road on the Medicine Slabs.  No other activity was noted or reported but expect that a few small solar initiated slides occurred on steep south facing slopes below treeline on Saturday.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong Westerly winds will be forming wind slabs below lee ridgelines on Sunday.
Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.Enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
The storm slabs remain soft where the wind has not firmed them up. Soft slab conditions also exist on gully sidewalls and some large alpine slopes.
Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

An icon showing Loose Dry
If the sun peaks out, loose avalanches with significant mass may occur. They are initiating out of steep West or South facing high elevation rocks or gullies.
The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 10th, 2013 5:00PM

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