Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 12th, 2012 3:39PM

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

garth lemke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

A storm may bring 15-20cm or more Monday night. Winds could be strong to extreme in the alpine. This combination will be enough to overload an already weak buried surface hoar layer thus increasing the danger rating. Stay tuned.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snowpack Summary

Avalanche Summary

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Natural avalanche activity has declined but the buried surface hoar layer 50-80cm down remains touchy. Cracking and whumphing still occurring. Extra vigilance is required for slopes that did not slide with last Monday's 50cm storm.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

2 - 4

Storm Slabs

35cm of new snow arrived in the past 4 days. Another 20cm or more is expected. The snow will cumulate into a storm slab adding load to the buried surface hoar layer. Initiating a small slide has the potential to step down to this weakness.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 13th, 2012 5:00PM