Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 26th, 2019 4:00PM

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

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Watch for a slight increase in snowpack reactivity on solar aspects Wednesday, as temperatures creep up closer to seasonal norms.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cold, clear and dry conditions as the arctic air rules supreme over our region.Wednesday will be sunny with cloudy periods, alpineÂ high -9 C, Low -22 C, and LNE ridge winds.Mountain weather forecast available at Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack continues to lose cohesion from facetting. Wind effect is visible in open terrain from previous SW switching to N winds. The Jan 18 layer (down 40cm) has faceted away in most places, but shows isolated sensitivity at treeline and below in the Icefields region. The midpack is mainly supportive, over depth hoar in shallow areas.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were observed in the Eastern part of the park today.Â No activity has been reported around the Icefields for several days.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Loose Dry

Isolated to steep terrain where surface snow doesn't show signs of previous wind affect.

Minimize exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of an avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Wind Slabs

Watch out for pockets of windslab in the alpine from previous SW switching to Northerly winds

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Although the basal weakness (depth hoar) is generally dormant, with no recent natural loading of the snowpack, these may still be possible in isolated places.

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 27th, 2019 4:00PM