Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 22nd, 2019–Mar 23rd, 2019

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

As the temperature drops so will the avalanche danger, but be aware if the sun comes out and the snow starts to become moist.

Weather Forecast

Forecasts show the start of a cooling trend into next week as the ridge of high pressure moves east. On Saturday at the Columbia Icefields Area; alpine highs of +2C, increasing clouds, freezing levels at 2500m with light ridge winds. Continued cooling and increasing cloud cover for Sunday and some light precipitation is in the forecast on Monday.

Snowpack Summary

As of Friday afternoon there is wet surface snow on solar aspects at treeline and alpine, unsupportive slush below treeline. As the temperatures start to cool on Saturday expect a melt freeze crust where surface snow was previously moist. The snowpack remains dry on shady aspects at upper elevations.

Avalanche Summary

Many solar aspects at TL and below have slid and continue to slide around the forecast region with high freezing levels on Friday afternoon. Nearly no activity has been observed on Northern aspects, especially in the Alpine.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Avalanche Problems

Loose Wet

Be cautious of overhead hazard on solar aspects when the sun comes out.

Avoid solar aspects.Start and finish early before the surface crusts melt.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Wet Slabs

Cooling on Saturday should reduce the likelihood of wet slab avalanches but they remain possible, especially if the sun comes out.

If triggered loose wet sloughs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.Avoid exposure to overhead solar avalanche terrain, avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5