Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 16 – 17, 2018Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 9 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Enjoy the new snow and mild temperatures. Be aware for changing conditions mid-afternoon.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2
    Fresh storm slabs may sit on a hard melt-freeze crust on solar aspects, and facets on polar aspects, assess the bond at these interfaces carefully before committing to any avalanche start zones.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5
    Expect the new snow to shed from steep rocky terrain.

Weather Forecast

Mild temperatures and light variable winds expected through the weekend, with up to 10cm of new snow expected. Freezing levels to remain below treeline (2100m). 

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm of fresh snow with light (gusting moderate) Northerly winds has created fresh storm slabs in exposed areas. Incoming snow is falling on a melt-freeze crust on solar aspects below 3000m and old facetted wind slabs on polar aspects above 1700m. The weak Feb. 8th interface under the old windslabs remains a concern on high north aspects.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose wet point release avalanches were observed in the Columbia Icefield area, primarily on steep solar aspects at treeline and below. These slides were generally in the size 1 - 1.5 range, with deeper accumulations noted in gully features. No slab avalanches were observed.

Confidence

Regions covered