Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 11th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.

jonas hoke, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Cold temperatures continue to weaken the snowpack, especially in shallow areas. The current avalanche problems will persist until this pattern changes.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Lows on the South Coast will usher in scattered high cloud and possibly some flurries.Tuesday: Mainly cloudy with flurries. Light winds. Alpine temps Low -21°C, High -17°C.Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud, Light winds. Alpine temps Low -18°C, High -13°C.A detailed mountain weather forecast is available from Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

50cm from Feb 2nd was followed by strong N winds. Ongoing cold temps have weakened the structure of the slab over the persistent weakness below, which consists of surface hoar, crusts, and/or facets. The basal snowpack is structurally weak in shallow areas, consisting primarily of facets/depth hoar (ongoing cold temps are not helping).

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry avalanches up to size 2 have been naturally triggered in the facetting snowpack in steep shallow areas over the past 2-3 days. On Feb 7th, a size 2 deep persistent slab was triggered by skiers in the Maligne area on a W aspect, 1950m, on a 30 degree slope (see MIN).

Confidence

Problems

Loose Dry

Cold temperatures continue to weaken the surface snow. Expect sluffing out of steep rocky terrain.

Be cautious with gully features.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This is still present and could still be triggered from shallow snowpack areas. See MIN report.

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 12th, 2019 4:00PM