Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 19 – 20, 2016Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 11 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

There have been several reports of large avalanches in and around the forecast region.  The best and safest skiing will be on sheltered tree-line slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Expect poorly bonded wind slab below ridge lines and cross-loaded features on open slopes.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    Previously formed slabs now comprise the upper and mid-pack in many locations. Natural and human triggered avalanches are possible.

Weather Forecast

Light snow and flurries will continue through Friday and Saturday with totals reaching 10 cm.  Continued mod SW winds will  be moving this snow into slabs on lee aspects.  Temperature trending cooler with improving overnight recovery.  Clear skies by Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate SW winds have built wind slab at tree-line and above. These slabs may be up to 40cm thick and are weekly bonded to the snowpack below. The mid-pack consists of buried wind and persistent slab with a failure plane down 60cms. In the valley bottom the snowpack is very week and unconsolidated making for tough trail breaking.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches reported today and no avalanche patrol was conducted.  Recent large isolated avalanches to size 3 have been reported in the alpine in Whistler Creek drainage.  Remote triggering of slab avalanches is possible at tree-line and above in wind loaded features.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Regions covered