Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 17th, 2019 4:00PM

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

Parks Canada jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Terrain is both the problem and the solution to this facetted, deep persistent problem. Manage your exposure and keep wary to evidence of localized instability; like cracking, whumphing and, recent nearby avalanche activity.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A cool NE flow of dry arctic air over the day Monday and into the week. No significant changes to the current weather expected. Monday: Sunny with cloudy periods. No precipitation. High -11 C. Light ridge wind west. Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temps have faceted the upper snowpack leaving a weak slab over a faint instability down 40cm (surface hoar/facets on a crust). Look for areas where a strong mid-pack will support a rider over the deep persistent weakness. A shallower mid-pack will act as a slab if triggered, sliding on facets and depth hoar in the lower third of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Field team in Whistler Creek Saturday reporting good ski conditions and no new avalanches in the region. Numerous dry loose to sz 1; characteristically from steeper, planar terrain; widespread across the forecast region.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs
It is possible to trigger deep slabs in shallow snowpack areas. Terrain management and assessment is critical to a safe day.
Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.Minimize exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of an avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Feb 18th, 2019 4:00PM