Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 10th, 2018–Mar 11th, 2018

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Jasper.

Warm and SunnyAn early start, caution, and avoidance during the heat of the day is essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain right now.

Weather Forecast

Glorious diurnal swings in temperatures making it positively spring like in the mountains this weekend. For Sunday, freezing levels cresting to 2100m with sun and little wind. More of the same leading into the week with strong solar effect and continued, rising freezing levels up to 3000m by mid week.

Snowpack Summary

Melt freeze, spring-like cycle beginning in ernest TL and below. Moist surface snow on steep, solar aspects. Less so in the Alpine where freezing levels (up to 2100m) and cooling winds are keeping the surface dry. Facetting has weakened the upr. snowpack in isolated, shaded areas through the forecast region. Wind effect in open areas in ALP and TL.

Avalanche Summary

Report of Avalanche on Polar Circus

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Late afternoon problem in steep, solar rocky terrain. Also found to be entraining the surrounding, facetted snowpack and will build up volume and speed quickly.

Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

A cold, facetting, and structurally weak snowpack overlies faceted crystals (well developed in shallow areas).

Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3