Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 3rd, 2016 4:00PM

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

Max Darrah, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Light scattered flurries for the next couple of days, increasing in intensity by the weekend, with amounts up to 10cm for Saturday. Winds light to moderate from the Southwest and freezing levels creeping up to treeline by Saturday. Cooler temperatures starting on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Weak crust on S through W aspects. Wind slab on lee aspects from previous SW winds and persistent slab in open areas at tree line. Poor travel conditions below tree line due to weak facetted snowpack. The Jan 28 SH/FC layer down 40-80cm remains a concern but is sporadically distributed.

Avalanche Summary

Several reports of remotely triggered slab avalanches in the alpine in wind loaded areas up to size 2 over the past 48 hours. These slides went on old snow and are especially prevalent in areas that have not seen skier traffic this winter.

Confidence

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent weak layers of decomposed surface hoar, facets, and depth hoar are in many locations. These layers have been stubborn to trigger underfoot but could be triggered by cornice failure or from shallow spot and release to ground.

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes. Avoid steep slopes below cornices.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Expect slab development immediate to lee ridge lines and cross loaded features. Bonding should be suspect, progress cautiously into steeper terrain.

Carefully evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes. Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 4th, 2016 4:00PM