Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 12th, 2017 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

a.l. horton, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Avalanche control is planned for the Icefields Parkway and Maligne Lake Road on Monday.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Winds easing to light on Monday with clear skies and alpine temperatures approaching 0. Warm daytime temperatures continuing until the middle of the week then maybe some valley bottom rain showers???

Snowpack Summary

Extreme winds building windslab likely down slope of ridge-lines and on cross-loaded gulley features. A reactive storm slab can be found in sheltered locations at tree-line and on most slopes below tree-line. The new slabs and storm snow is sitting on several touchy surface hoar and facet layers over a weak base.

Avalanche Summary

Several avalanches to size 2 were observed on west facing cross-loaded features in the alpine today.

Confidence

on Monday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Extreme SW winds building windslab with recent storm snow.

Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new wind.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Storm Slabs

30-40cm of storm snow has formed a touchy storm slab.

If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use caution in alpine and open treeline lees. Recent snowfall has created storm slabs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

Avalanches initiated within the storm snow may step down to deeper layers and in some cases gouging to ground in thin snowpack areas.

If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Feb 13th, 2017 4:00PM