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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 27th, 2014–Mar 28th, 2014

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Jasper.

Variability across the forecast area exists in wind slab development and snowfall amounts.  Careful evaluation of specific slopes is essential for safe travel.  Excellent ski quality can be found in most areas.

Weather Forecast

Flurries will continue through the weekend with daily accumulations between 5 to 10 cm.  Light NE winds will continue until Friday then winds will shift to SW and pickup to Moderate.  Temperatures will warm with this wind shift with afternoon freezing levels rising to 1500 m.

Snowpack Summary

Total storm snow over the Mar 15 interface is approx. 40 cm but quite variable. Open areas in the southern forecast area are showing more surface wind effect. The Mar 15 interface is weak made up of facets over variable surfaces depending on aspect and exposure.  Little slab development has been observed to date.

Avalanche Summary

No new observations along the Icefields Parkway however poor visibility conditions existed.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable on Friday

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.