Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 15th, 2019 4:00PM

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

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Moderate danger rating means human triggered avalanches are possible. In particular, shallow rocky areas have the potential to catch someone off guard. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Saturday will be cloudy with isolated flurries, high -15 C, wind northeast 10 km/h. Sunday will be sunny with cloudy periods, nil precipitation, low -24 C, high -18 C, and wind northeast 15 km/h. A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

Cold temperatures have faceted the upper snowpack, leaving no slab over a weakness down 40cm (surface hoar, facets, and/or crust).Â However, the stronger mid-pack could act as a slab over weak depth hoar, which comprises the lower third of the snowpack. This is pronounced in shallow areas such as Marmot basin back-country and the Maligne range.

Avalanche Summary

No new activity noted on Friday from town to Sunwapta, with poor visibility.

Confidence

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

It is possible to trigger deep slabs from shallow snowpack areas. If triggered, these will have severe consequences. Terrain management 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

Loose Dry

A few CM of new snow may add to the volume of loose dry avalanches, which have been occurring naturally as the snowpack surface facetted with cold temps. Ice climbers should consider consequences of an avalanche if climbing in confined gully features

If triggered dry loose point releases can form deeper deposits in terrain traps.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 16th, 2019 4:00PM