Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 12 – 13, 2024Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 3 years ago

Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Continue to use caution as the skiing slowly improves, human triggering of the Persistent and Deep Persistent avalanche problems remains possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Moderate to strong winds from the west and northwest have formed new wind slabs in leeward features in the alpine.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    Our recent melt-freeze cycle was not strong enough to heal our persistent slab problem. This weak layer, buried 20-40cm deep, is still reactive in snowpit tests and human triggering remains possible, particularly in shallow rocky start zones.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Human and natural triggering of these basal facets remains possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported in the last couple of days.

Snowpack Summary

In sheltered areas 10 - 20 cm of low density snow overlies the Feb 3rd crust, which ranges from 1-3cm thick on shaded aspects up to 2500m, to 15-20cm thick at lower elevations. The Persistent and Deep Persistent weak layers continue to produce whoomphing and sudden fractures in tests.

Weather Summary

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -6 °C.

Ridge wind northwest: 10-30 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Regions covered