Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 13 – 14, 2015Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 12 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

A special public avalanche warning will be issued for the Jasper area this weekend. Avalanche control is planned on the Icefields Parkway on Friday. Expect delays in the afternoon.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–4
    These slabs are sitting on a surface hoar layer in sheltered areas. Triggering of these slabs is possible even in low angle terrain .

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    This layer remains a concern in isolated areas above treeline and may be triggered by large loads.

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels around 2000 m with no overnight freeze expected Thursday and Friday nights.  A brief pulse of precipitation is expected on Friday with temperatures falling with the passage of the front on Saturday afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

There is a wide variation in the snowpack across the forecast region. Continuing moderate to strong SW winds in the Icefields area are forming wind slabs on lee slopes. Last week's snow is now a persistent slab 50-80 cm thick. This slab is sitting over the Jan 29 rain crust on all aspects at treeline and above.

Avalanche Summary

Two size 2 slab avalanches were observed around treeline today on low angle northerly aspects. It is likely that these avalanches failed on a surface hoar layer sitting on the January 30 rain crust.

Confidence

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

Regions covered