Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 22nd, 2019 4:00PM

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

Timothy Johnson, Parks Canada

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.

Summary

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

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

Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2019 4:00PM