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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 17th, 2013–Mar 18th, 2013
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

Avalanche danger will increase if sun comes out. The trend will be cold nights followed by daytime heating.

Weather Forecast

Monday will be flurries with potentially 10-15cm Sunday night to Monday night, seasonal temperatures, and possibly 75km/hr West winds at 3000m. Tuesday will be sunny, rising freezing levels from the sun and calm winds. Wednesday will bring a weak pulse of snow and the freezing level will rise to 1500m.

Snowpack Summary

Soft slabs have formed on exposed treeline locations and above from Saturday nights strong North winds. Expect reverse loading patterns. 90+cm of snow has fallen since Wednesday and this was our first real wind. At treeline, soft slabs rest on a thin suncrust buried 80 cm deep in exposed south facing terrain.  Snow below treeline is unconsolidated.

Avalanche Summary

Maligne and Icefields patrolled today with 100% visibility. A few size 3 storm slab avalanches have run on large planar alpine slopes. They appear to be initiating in lower start zones around 2500m. Numerous loose solar sluffs to size 2 noted mainly on SW-NW aspects with a few on East aspects. Natural activity was increasing with solar punch. 

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Tuesday

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

10-20 cm of snow arrived last night with steady strong N winds. 80-100cm cm has fallen since Wednesday. This was the first real wind and many slopes appear to have a soft slab at exposed treeline and alpine locations. Reverse loading occurred.  
Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Loose Dry

There remains 20-50 cm of unconsolidated storm snow on and above local ice climbs.  This snow is susceptible to solar, wind and human triggering forming loose snow avalanches of significant mass.  Enough to knock climbers or skiers off their route. 
Avoid travelling on ledges and cliffs where sluffing may have severe consequences.Finish ice climbs early in the day before the temperature rises.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2