Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2013 4:00PM

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

mike eder, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Areas from the Columbia icefields South to Saskatchewan crossing should see moderate amounts of snowfall in the next 24 - 36 hours. At lower elevations, this may translate to rain.

Summary

Weather Forecast

A "pineapple express" with plenty of moisture and warm temperatures is expected to arrive South of the icefields area beginning late Thursday night and continuing on through Friday. It is a narrow band of weather which may not reach us and it is not expected to come up to the Jasper townsite. Keep your fingers crossed for snow.

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs are found at ridgetop and exposed alpine/ treeline locations. Where the snow is deeper, a solid midpack bridges the weaker layers below. Surface conditions range from wind scoured rocky patches, to sustrugi, to hard slab, with the rare pocket of sheltered soft snow offering a few turns. Un-supportive facets dominate lower elevations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported on Thursday.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Problems

Wind Slabs

The forecasted incoming warm snowfall may bond well to the current windslab layers at the snow surface. However, if there is significant snowfall and high winds, yet another slab will develop.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2013 4:00PM