Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 24th, 2014 4:00PM

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

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Eagerly anticipating the forecasted new snow to add to the steadily improving quality of riding throughout the region.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Weak systems will move into the forecasting area bringing isolated and relatively small pulses of snow over the day. Expectations are low initially but, the system is forecasted to ramp up snowfall by Tuesday evening and through the week. Broken skies, light winds and seasonal daytime temps anticipated (-3 in valley bottom and -16 up high).

Snowpack Summary

The ~40 cm of snow received last week has settled with little wind effect in most areas. This has blanketed previous surfaces including sun crusts on solar aspects, wind slab below ridge lines and cross-loaded gulley features are buried. The Feb10th drought layer is 50-100 cm deep and is the greatest concern for skier/climber triggering.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported today.

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain

Problems

Persistent Slabs

The "drought layer" (Feb 10) has been sensitive in the past week contributing to numerous large avalanches. Pay particular attention to moraines at treeline and cross-loaded features in the alpine.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs continue to form and be covered by intermittent snowfall. Pay attention to wind affected terrain above treeline.

The recent snow may now be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 25th, 2014 4:00PM