Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 17th, 2014 4:21PM

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

steve blagbrough, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Cooling trend with a few flurries before the next pulse of snow arrives on Wednesday night.

Snowpack Summary

The Columbia Icefields received 35cm of low density snow over the weekend. Prior to that the alpine was found to be scoured old snow or hard windslabs.

Avalanche Summary

Field patrols today observed the debris of 3 large avalanches from the weekend cycle. Failure layers appeared to be the February 10th layer on one and the basal facets on the other two larger slides which had been triggered by cornice collapse.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Where wind slabs overly the February 10th facet layer very touchy conditions exist at tree-line and is borne out by numerous avalanche incidents in the last few days. The frequency of slabs stepping down to a deeper layer has increased dramatically.

Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Loose Dry

The 35cm of snow that fell in the last day has been observed to travel far and fast when it fails. Loose snow slides are likely with any solar affect particularly at lower elevations.

Avoid ice climbs that are exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs can be found on sheltered lee aspects in the alpine and if triggered could step down and release a larger slide.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 18th, 2014 4:00PM