Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 20 – 21, 2017Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=26206&oPark=100092Special Public Avalanche Warning has been issued for Jasper National Park due to dangerous avalanche conditions. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    25cm HST and moderate SW winds have added to the windslab problem in the alpine and open tree-line features.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks in previously un-skied terrain. Recent natural activity up to Sz 3 failing on the weak faceted snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Light flurries over the next few days will accumulate up to 10cm of new snow. Temps to remain between -3 to -10 in the Alpine with light (1-25km/hr) SW winds. Freezing levels could go as high as 1700m on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

25cm HST in the past 5 days along the Columbia Icefields, previous 35km/hr SW winds have built, yet another, layer of windslab TL and ALP. A rain crust (up to 20cm) exists below 1900m. The denser upper snowpack overlies a weak faceted lower pack, making for very tricky and dangerous avalanche conditions.

Avalanche Summary

Several avalanches up to Sz 3 occurred yesterday along the Parkway, one of which dusted the highway from Mt. Wilson. Several avalanches reported today in the backcountry terrain adjacent to the Marmot Ski area.Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks were noted on all elevations.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Saturday

Regions covered