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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 5th, 2020–Mar 6th, 2020
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

Highway 93 will be closed at Friday at  10am from Parkers ridge to Saskatchewan crossing for avalanche control . Expected opening is 6pm with moderate confidence. The plan is for 2 hour temporary closures but no guarantees.

Weather Forecast

Thursday evening into Friday will bring potentially 20-30cm, -5 °C, light winds gusting to 35 km/h, and freezing level 1500 metres. Saturday will be 6 cm of snow, -17 to -12 °C, light winds, and freezing level at valley bottom. Sunday will bring a mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries, -19 to -13 °C, and light winds.

Snowpack Summary

25cm of recent new snow overlies a variety of surfaces depending on aspect and elevation. Wind slabs are continuously forming on lee aspects. The Columbia Icefields region has a well bridged mid pack overlying basal facets and depth hoar. The northern part of the forecast region is shallower and weaker. 20-30cm of snow may arrive Friday.

Avalanche Summary

Thursday's Icefield's patrol noted nothing new but visibility was poor. Yesterday Maligne patrol noted a few small natural avalanches in steep cross-loaded features at tree-line along the Colin Range. 

Use the Mountain Information Network to share your field trip observations contributing to the daily avalanche bulletin.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

20-30cm of new snow is predicted Thursday night into Friday creating a storm slab condition. The rapid loading will likely increase natural activity.

  • Use caution in alpine and open treeline lees. Recent snowfall has created storm slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

Wind effect and windslab are common through the region with varied reactivity. Increasing snow load will elevate the hazard in the short term.

  • Assess start zones carefully and use safe travel techniques.
  • Use caution in lee areas. New snowfall mixed with wind loading will created slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Loose Dry

The incoming new snow will need some time to settle and stabilize.

  • The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2