Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 17th, 2015 4:01PM

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

tim mcallister, Parks Canada

Jasper.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=19299&oPark=100092Avoid ice climbs with overhead hazard if the day time heating increases. Wind slab pockets are still lurking in the alpine and could be triggered.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Above seasonal temperatures in the next few days with daytime temperatures to 3 degrees above zero and below freezing at night. Little snow expected and light winds from the north and northwest are forecasted.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 50cm of more settled snow and several different crusts to near tree line elevations provide a lot of support and good travel in the upper snowpack. These firmer upper layers are resting on 50-75cm of weak, poorly bonded faceted snow crystals. Large loads like surface slides or cornice collapses could possibly trigger the upper snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported today.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain on Thursday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Caution in shallow and unsupported areas where wind slab has formed.

If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.Use caution in lee areas in the alpine. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

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.Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Feb 18th, 2015 4:00PM