Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2018 4:00PM

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

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

A structurally weak snowpack making any travel, "deeply troubling" in uncompacted terrain, especially below treeline. The persistent weakness is mostly found at or near treeline.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The forecast was showing real meteorological potential for a good, late winter storm. Sadly, all the moisture has been sucked dry from the region so local snowfall amounts over the next 36 hours are expected to be light. Thankfully, it will remain cold...

Snowpack Summary

Much of the regional snowpack is losing support and, facetting after two weeks of cold, dry weather. Wind slabs and extensive wind effect is found in all open areas. The upper snowpack is a 50 to 80 cm weakening slab, over the seasonally persistent instability.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity observed or reported.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Wind Slabs

Expect hardslabs in the alpine and at treeline. The cold has reduced the tension in these but caution is still warranted.

Best conditions on sheltered northerly aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

A cold, facetting, and structurally weak slab up to 80cm thick overlies: faceted crystals (well developed in shallow areas), surface hoar (at, and just above treeline), and sun crusts (on steep S and W aspects).

Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

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