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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 8th, 2017–Mar 9th, 2017
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
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.

March 3rd's 45cm of new snow continues to settle. Choose simple terrain that is well supported. A buried unstable surface hoar layer was found on South aspect at treeline sitting on a crust. Be cognisant of this.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night will be cold and 5cm new snow. Thursday will be -16 to -20, light S and W winds, and no new of snow. Friday will be -8, flurries, and light E winds. Saturday will be increasing wind speeds into the 25km/hr range out of the West.

Snowpack Summary

45cm of storm snow from March 3 continues to settle into a soft slab generally at treeline and above. The lower snowpack is structurally weak with depth hoar, facets, and a deteriorating rain crust from November. S aspect we found decomposing SH/surface facet layer on a sun crust down 30cm under March 3rd's storm snow. It was testing unstable.

Avalanche Summary

Skiers on March 7 in Bald hills triggered a size 2 from a km away. Report and pictures can be viewed on CAA's Mountain Information Network. No patrol occurred on March 8.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

45cm of storm snow from March 3 has evolved into a soft slab and melded in many locations to the midpack below. South TL aspects the new snow was found resting on a decomposing surface hoar layer on a crust about 30cm down. It tested unstable.
Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Deep Persistent Slabs

March 3rd 45cm of new snow load produced size 3's. This activity has subsided. They were from the alpine and treeline elevations running to valley bottoms. One should consider it a concern if the persistent slab above is initiated and steps down. 
Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3