Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2016 4:00PM

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

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=23025&oPark=100244Any duration of solar input will quickly affect the overall Hazard.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cool overnight temperatures. Apparently... forecasts calling for 6cm overnight, we'll see I guess. Cooler then originally forecast for Friday with freezing levels rising to 1800ms and Alpine temperatures -3. Moderate and gusty W-ly winds through the day Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Moist surface snow and, where a shallower snowpack exists, isothermal conditions BLT on solar aspects with some recovery overnight. Overall, the snowpack is shallow everywhere but, there is significant variation through-out the forecasting area. The persistent slab, down 30-70cms has been most active in the surrounding area off the ski hill.

Avalanche Summary

Field team in the Icefields area report only minor pin-wheels and snow-balling on immediate solar aspects.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

This problem has been most active in the Whistler/Portal Creek area but is widespread through the forecast region and when triggered, always goes big.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Loose Wet

Subject to intense periods of solar radiation. The overall snowpack is shallow and it does not take long for the Sun to make a significant impact to the hazard rating.

Avoid sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if snow is moist or wet.Avoid ice climbs that are exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Cornices

First indicators of this problem showing up. Easy enough to avoid but, larger slides, triggered in the deep weaknesses can quickly become a significant issue for groups traveling in the valley bottoms or run outs.

Avoid slopes when the solar radiation is strong, especially if they have large cornices overhead.Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach run out zones.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2016 4:00PM