Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2018 4:00PM

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

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

The sun has a strong influence on the snow pack and the hazard will rise on slopes with prolonged solar influence. Especially in steeper and rocky terrain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cloudy with sunny periods Sunday. Gusty SW winds will continue to move snow up high and alpine temperatures are forecasted to remain cool, -9. Snow is in the forecast but no significant accumulations until Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5 to 10cm overnight in the Icefields region brings HST amounts to 15 to 25cm, all that has been scoured and transported by gusty west winds creating extensive wind effect TL and above. Temperature and sun crust on solar aspects; now down as much as 45cm in isolated areas with dry, low density snow over the crust at higher elevations.

Avalanche Summary

Noticeable wind effect in the alpine though no natural activity observed or reported.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Sunday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs sit on a hard melt-freeze crust on solar aspects, and facets on polar aspects. Shaded slopes have been more reactive. Assess the bond at these interfaces carefully before committing to avalanche start zones.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Stay well to the windward side of corniced ridges.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2018 4:00PM