Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 28th, 2018 4:00PM

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

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

The Icefields Parkway is planned to be closed at 2pm Thursday for avalanche control from Athabasca Falls to Saskatchewan crossing. Please plan accordingly.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Thursday will be cloudy and flurries, 5cm of snow, High of -6 and 15-40km/hr SW winds. Friday will be 12cm of snow, -18 to -6 degress Celsius, and light to 45km/hr West winds. Saturday will be sun and cloud, no precipitation, Alpine temperature Low -20 C, High -8 C, light ridge wind.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs and extensive wind effect is found in open areas. The upper snowpack is a windslab up to 50cm thick that sits on a sun-crust on solar aspects and facets on polar aspects. In many location the snowpack is facetted yet switching to spring snowpack conditions slowly.

Avalanche Summary

Wednesday's road patrol noted one size 3 noted in Maligne area, likely 3+ days old. Icefield's area noted one size 3 on the Mt Athabasca ramp, and one size 2.5 from a W aspect.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs sit on a hard melt-freeze crust on solar aspects, and facets on polar aspects. Assess the bond at these interfaces carefully before committing to any avalanche zones.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 29th, 2018 4:00PM