Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 5th, 2018 4:00PM

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

landon shepherd, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Weather over the next week should remain in a relatively stable pattern. Cool overnights and temps rising to minus single digits, and a chance of scattered flurries with little accumulation.is expected. Temps and freezing levels will rise into the weekend, coupled with increased solar radiation, so expect to need some sunscreen by midday.

Snowpack Summary

Much of the regional snowpack is losing support and, facetting after two weeks of cold, dry weather. Wind slabs and extensive wind effect is found in all open areas. The upper snowpack is a 50 to 80 cm weakening slab, over the seasonally persistent instability.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity observed or reported.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

Expect windslabs in the alpine and at treeline. The cold has reduced slab conductivity and the probability for long propagations but caution is still warranted on exposed terrain features.

Best conditions found on sheltered aspects.Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A cold, facetting, and structurally weak slab up to 80cm thick overlies faceted crystals (well developed in shallow areas), and areas with preserved surface hoar (at, and just above treeline).

Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Mar 6th, 2018 4:00PM