Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 8th, 2015 4:00PM

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

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Choose your ski line to avoid cross loaded terrain features in the alpine where a small windslab avalanche could occur.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snow flurries are expected in the icefields area through Monday with very little accumulation. This will translate to light showers in the valley bottoms. Cloudy skies with occasional sunny periods and scattered snow flurries will carry on through the week with more snow accumulating in the icefields area.

Snowpack Summary

A supportive mid pack consisting of rounded and facetted layers is bridging the weak depth hoar/facet layers that make up the lower snowpack. Some wind slabs are developing in sheltered alpine locations on various aspects from recent NW to SW winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong winds are redistributing snow into slabs on sheltered aspects and cross loaded features in the alpine.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Natural and human triggering is unlikely but it is still a good practice to avoid steep, open, rocky slopes with a shallow snowpack.

Caution around convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Mar 9th, 2015 4:00PM