Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 29th, 2019 4:00PM

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

Deryl Kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

You can expect a localized rise in avalanche hazard over the day depending on exposure to the sun. Higher north aspects remain dry.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Mixed sun and cloud again for Saturday. Freezing level to 2300m over the day on Friday. Overnight temps have been cold, -12 overnight Thursday, the same is forecast for Friday evening. The large temperature swings will subside Sunday, and a more moist, consistent air mass moves in keeping temps steady over the day and through the overnight Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

New snow has settling fast and bonding well to previous surfaces. The snowpack is cycling from isothermal, to overnight freeze with an supportive crust below (about 10cm thick) treeline on all aspects. Crust breaking down under a strong solar influence by mid-morning on any sunny aspect.

Avalanche Summary

Very little new activity observed or reported by field teams in the Columbia Icefields area.Share your observations with the community on the CAA Mountain Information Network

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Expect a natural cycle of loose snow avalanches from steep solar slopes tomorrow.

Use extra caution on solar slopes or if the snow is moist or wet.Be cautious with gully features.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Loose Dry

It will take a couple of days for the new snow to settle, triggering loose dry avalanches in steep shady alpine terrain remains possible.

Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 30th, 2019 4:00PM