Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 21st, 2014 4:26PM

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

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Ski conditions are great but the snowpack is still unstable. Best to avoid big terrain features and choose conservative lines!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light flurries with little accumulation can be expected through the weekend. Cold temperatures will persist with only light Northerly winds.

Snowpack Summary

40 cm of settled storm snow with little wind effect except in wind prone areas. This snow has buried various surfaces including windslab. The Feb. 10th drought layer is now almost a meter deep in the snowpack. Basal facets are still lurking at the base of this snowpack. Field teams in the Cavell area had widespread whumpfing on a moraine feature.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations today with teams in the Cavell area and a patrol to Saskatchewan Crossing. Several large avalanches were observed earlier this week. These avalanches exhibited wide propagation, were primarily found in big East facing alpine terrain, and several were triggered by cornice fall.

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable on Saturday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The "drought layer" (Feb 10) has been sensitive in the past week, contributing to numerous large avalanches. Pay particular attention to moraines at treeline and cross-loaded features in the alpine.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Windslabs are forming in wind prone areas like below lee ridges at treeline and above.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2014 4:00PM