Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 18th, 2020 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada Jasper Snow Safety, Parks Canada

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We are asking all backcountry travelers to keep their risk to an absolute minimum. Now is not the time for a backcountry accident, which will stress the capacity of our teams & the medical system. Enjoy the fresh air but restrain your activities.

Summary

Weather Forecast

You can expect crisp cold mornings with the afternoons warming up drastically when the sun comes out.

Wednesday evening the temps will drop to -20 with Light North winds.

Thursday-Saturday Partially sunny skies with no new snow expected. -6 as the high.

More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack continues to settle due to Diurnal conditions. Scoured from previous winds. Old hard slabs exists in the alpine and open tree line. More confidence in the southern snowpack. Cornices remain an overhead hazard,

The mornings can provide good travel on the melt freeze crust. By early afternoon the crust will start to break down.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous wet loose avalanches observed today on a road patrol today down the colmumbia icefields parkway on solar aspects.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

This problem exists with day time warming and especially on solar aspects.

  • Pay attention to sluffing off cliffs and steep solar terrain, signs of a warming snowpack.
  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem will require a large trigger, thin spots or rapid day time warming.

  • Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3.5

Valid until: Mar 19th, 2020 4:00PM