Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 19 – 20, 2017Parks Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/links/goto_e.asp?destination=Special Public Avalanche Warning has been issued for Jasper National Park due to dangerous avalanche conditions. "The snowpack is touchy and even though it looks enticing, it is unforgiving right now" - CS

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    25cm HST and moderate SW winds have added to the windslab problem in the alpine and open tree-line features.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks in previously un-skied terrain. Recent natural activity up to Sz 3 failing on the weak faceted snowpack.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Light flurries over the next few days will accumulate up to 15cm of new snow. Temps to remain between -3 to -10 in the Alpine with light (1-25km/hr) SW winds. Freezing levels could go as high as 1600m on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

25cm HST in the past 4 days along the Columbia Icefields and 35km/hr SW winds have built, yet another, layer of windslab TL and ALP. A rain crust (up to 20cm) exists below 1900m. The denser upper snowpack overlies a weak faceted lower pack, making for very tricky and dangerous avalanche conditions .

Avalanche Summary

A sz 3 slab released from a steep rocky area below ridgeline from Churchill South, NE aspect, 2500m elevation. Crown was ~100cm deep, 200m wide and traveled into the runout zone. A sz 2 released in a steep gully at treeline on Mt. Wilson today, dusting the highway.Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks were noted on all elevations.

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