Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 4th, 2014 4:00PM

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

max darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Ski conditions are improving with steady light snowfalls of low density snow.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Another 10cm expected in the next 24hours, with light Southwest winds.Â Precipitation amounts expected to increase by the end of the week, with as much as 60cm possible for the Columbia Icefields area. Temps to remain below zero at treeline and in the alpine.

Snowpack Summary

Supportive mid-pack above 1900m. A persistent weak layer (Feb10 interface) can be found down 30-70cm and consists of decomposing surface hoar and or facetted grains but appears to be bonding well. 10-20cm of low density new storm snow available for transport. New windslabs forming in exposed areas above treeline.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry avalanches to size 1.5 out of steep rocky East facing terrain in the alpine were observed today.Â No new slab avalanches observed.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Loose Dry

New low density storm snow is shedding from steep terrain in the alpine and may have enough mass to ruin your day. Expect sluffing on steeper slopes at all elevations.

The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.Avoid travelling under cliffs that are exposed to sluffing from above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Although winds are expected to remain relatively light, there have been several wind events in the past 48 hours with shifting gusty winds in the moderate to strong range that may have produced new windslabs at upper elevations.

The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 5th, 2014 4:00PM