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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 16th, 2021–Mar 17th, 2021
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Jasper.

The Icefields Parkway is closed for avalanche control, with an anticipated opening of Thursday March 18th. Check 511 Alberta for updates.

Continue to pay attention to rising temperatures and solar radiation which can increase the avalanche hazard.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -9 C, High -6 C. Ridge wind southwest: 10km/h. Freezing level: 1400m.

Thursday: Mainly cloudy. Precipitation: Nil. Alpine temperature: Low -10 C, High -3 C. Ridge wind southwest: 15-35 km/h. Freezing level: 1800 m.

Snowpack Summary

Sunny skies and warm temperatures have created crusts and moist snow on all aspects at tree line and below and into the alpine on solar aspects. There is widespread wind scouring to rock in exposed alpine features. The middle of the snowpack is supportive in deep areas but weak in shallow spots.

Avalanche Summary

Loose wet avalanches continue to occur on East through West aspects. 3 size 2.5 avalanches were observed on North to Northeast aspects in the alpine, triggered by cornice releases and stepping down to the February persistent weak layer.

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Watch out for solar heating (sun) and daytime warming to trigger avalanches, especially from steep rocky terrain.

  • Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.

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

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 1.5

Persistent Slabs

Weak facets buried on Feb 20th. It is prudent to keep this on your radar with warmer temperatures as reactivity may increase. Cornices will have the potential to fail and trigger slabs below.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Cornices

Cornices failures have been observed and are triggering avalanches on the Feb 20th FC layer.

  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.
  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger deep slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5