Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 25th, 2015 4:01PM

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

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Warm daytime temperatures combined with direct radiation could increase the avalanche danger quickly on solar aspects.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light snow flurries will occur on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Only a few centimeters of snow are expected. The winds will gradually shift to the NE by Friday. Temperatures are expected to warm during the day, but remain cooler overall with the freezing level staying below 1400m for the next few days.

Snowpack Summary

A sun-crust is present on solar aspects up to 2300m. A supportive mid pack consisting of rounded and facetted layers is bridging the weak depth hoar/facet layers that make up the lower snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Friday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Triggering this weakness requires a large load (such as a cornice) in areas of deeper snowpack but could be triggered by skiers hitting the weak spot in a shallow snowpack.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Caution in shallow and unsupported areas where wind slabs have formed.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets. Be aware of wide variation in snowpack depth

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 26th, 2015 4:00PM