Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 16th, 2015 4:00PM

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

Landon Shepherd, Parks Canada

Jasper.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=19299&oPark=100092The beautiful weather and easy travel should be enjoyed, but remember that the variable snowpack depths are not a reliable bridge for the rotten snowpack base.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Overnight cooler temperatures are expected for the next several days, which will provide a stabilizing effect to the snowpack surface. No significant precipitation is expected, and sunny conditions will provide strong solar radiation to south and southwest steeper slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50cm of more settled snow and several different crusts to near treeline elevations provide a lot of support and good travel in the upper snowpack. These firmer upper layers are resting on 50-75cm of weak, poorly bonded faceted snow crystals. Large triggers like small avalanches or cornice drops will easily collapse the upper bridging layers.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Cornice failures or skier travel in shallow snowpack areas are likely ways to trigger this deep weakness in the snowpack.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 17th, 2015 4:00PM