Avalog
Register
Get forecast notifications
Create an account to receive email notifications when forecasts are published.
Register
Login
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 20th, 2017–Feb 21st, 2017
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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.

Conditions remain unpredictable with whumphing noted. Consequences of being caught would be severe. Be cautious in recently opened Caribou closure areas. 

Weather Forecast

Sun and cloud with light flurries the next few days. Temperatures are cooling slightly into the -12 to -16 range. Winds may shift Northerly on Wednesday. No significant snow is expected.

Snowpack Summary

25cm new snow and warm temperatures last week at the Columbia Icefields with 35km/hr SW winds built a windslab at TL and ALP. A rain crust exists below 1900m. The dense upper snowpack overlies a weak faceted lower pack making for  unpredictable and dangerous avalanche conditions.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday several size 2-3 avalanches were remote triggered by skiers a significant distance away in the McCarib Pass area. Several avalanches to Sz 3 occurred Saturday along the Parkway with one dusting the highway from Mt. Wilson. Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks were noted in the Whistler creek area on all elevations.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks in previously un-skied terrain. Recent natural activity up to Sz 3 failing on the weak faceted snowpack.
Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

25cm HST and moderate SW winds have added to the windslab problem in the alpine and open tree-line features.
Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to the presence of hard windslabs.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3