Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 24th, 2013 4:00PM

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

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

The timing and volume of snowfall will determine if the avalanche danger increases to considerable in the next few days.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snow should come in light flurries over the next few days with snowfall up to 15cm Monday afternoon. However, it will come with strong westerly winds up to 100 Km/h at ridgetops which will scour the landscape. Some of that snow may deposit in Saskatchewan while the rest will be on lee aspects making more windslabs in sheltered terrain features.

Snowpack Summary

Variable windslabs exist at ridgetop and exposed alpine/ treeline locations. Where the snow is deeper, a solid midpack bridges the weaker layers below. Surface conditions range from wind scoured rocky patches, to sustrugi, to hard slab, with the rare pocket of sheltered soft snow offering a few turns. Un-supportive facets dominate lower elevations.

Avalanche Summary

No new activity was noted on Sunday's patrol. It has been a while since any significant avalanche activity occurred.Â However, don't let your guard down since there is a lot of variability in the snowpack across the landscape.Â

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Moderate to strong winds from all directions in the icefields continue to scour and redistribute any snow available in the area. New windslabs may develop in unexpected locations on terrain features and ridgetops.

Caution in lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.Be careful with wind loaded pockets

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 25th, 2013 4:00PM