Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 16th, 2014 4:03PM

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

steve blagbrough, Parks Canada

Jasper.

The 35cm of precipitation that fell in the Columbia Icefields covers up a myriad of different snow surfaces. Great care is needed as you navigate through the terrain - particularly at tree-line and subalpine elevations.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snow for the southern region of the forecasting area ending tonight with light south westerly winds and cooling temps. Another pulse of snow is forecast for later in the week with some models giving a further 15cm of snow in the Icefields on Wednesday night.

Snowpack Summary

The Columbia Icefields received 35cm of low density snow overnight. Prior to that the alpine was found to be scoured old snow or hard windslabs.

Avalanche Summary

Limited observations today due to poor visibility on Highway 93 south. Recent remote and skier accidental avalanches as well as extensive whumphing of the snow pack at tree line and the sub alpine is the biggest concern and this problem layer is not likely to heal for the foreseeable future.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Where wind slabs overly the February 10th facet layer very touchy conditions exist. This is borne out by numerous incidents of skier accidental and remotely triggered avalanches in the last few days.

If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

The 35cm of snow that fell in the last day has been observed to travel far and fast when it fails. Loose snow slides are likely with any solar affect particularly at lower elevations.

Avoid ice climbs that are exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 17th, 2014 4:00PM