Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 23rd, 2015 4:00PM

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

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Variable spring like conditions exist out there. Be reminded that cornices are big and always a concern.Stick to the shade or get high for some hope of a good turn!

Summary

Weather Forecast

Tuesday's forecast appears to be the beginning of the steady cooling tread that is expected to continue over the rest of the week. Increased clouds and strong high elevation SW winds expected at ridge top with light snow flurries Wednesday. Maybe not a enough to get too excited about but perhaps a little dust on crust?

Snowpack Summary

Expect a new sun crust on steeper solar aspects up to 2300m with Mondays warm blast of sun. A mixture of rounded and facetted layers are sandwiched between upper layers and the weak depth hoar/ facets prevalent in the lower snowpack down to ground.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Tuesday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Caution in shallow and unsupported areas where wind slabs have formed.

Be careful with wind loaded pockets. Be aware of wide variation in snowpack depth

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

Cornice failures or skier travel in shallow snowpack areas are likely ways to trigger this deep weakness in the snowpack.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 24th, 2015 4:00PM