Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 16th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs, Loose Wet and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Jasper Snow Safety,
Parks Canada
Good skiing can be found on Sheltered North facing treeline and below features.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Tuesday will see some cloud cover and slightly cooler temps, -5 as the day time high.
Wednesday will be cloudy with a drop in temperatures -20
Thursday Cloudy with sunny periods. -20 generally Light winds overall.
More detailed forecast at: Mountain weather forecast
Snowpack Summary
Wide spread scouring, stripping in exposed places. Hard slabs and sastrugi now present. Sun Crust on S-SW aspects to ALP and Temperature crust on E-SW aspects TL and below. The Icefields area has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern region is weaker with less bridging midpack strength above basals weaknesses.
Avalanche Summary
Snowballing and surface instabilities are waking up on our lowest road side solar features. Water is starting to run, Lubricating the underlying surfaces.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous NE winds reverse loaded alpine features North of Sask x'ing. More evident in the North bulletin area. This, in combination with basal facet issue produced a few random large destructive avalanches yesterday.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by North through East winds.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
A warming snow pack and solar input is weakening the surface snow and starting to move naturally. Keep in mind what is overhead and the intensity of the sun during your trips
- Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
- Pay attention to sluffing off cliffs and steep solar terrain, signs of a warming snowpack.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Several natural large avalanches observed yesterday due to the combination of rapid wind loading initiating basal facets or reloaded bed surfaces.
Mt Athabasca ramp route ran size 3.5. Impressive avalanche running into the rock basin below.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.
- Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 17th, 2020 4:00PM
