Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 15 – 16, 2014Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 13 years ago

Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Snowfall warning in effect for the Icefields and Lake Louise area. The ski hill or safe ice climbing venues could be a good option for tomorrow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3
    The avalanche cycle in the alpine has eased off but we expect this to ramp up with the onset of heavy snow and strong winds on Saturday night.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Where slab overlies the February 10th facet layer very touchy conditions exist. We have found this to be most prevalent at tree line elevations where remote and skier triggered avalanches have been occurring in the last few days.

Weather Forecast

Snowfall warning in effect for the Icefields area and Lake Louise. Forecast models are giving up to 30cm of snow starting Saturday night through to Monday with strong south westerly winds. Heavy drifting is likely at tree-line and alpine elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Touchy slab conditions exist at tree-line and sub-alpine elevations. Large cornices continue to grow along ridge lines. The alpine is generally scoured old snow or hard wind slabs.

Avalanche Summary

Two ski tourers triggered a size 2.5 which failed on the February 10th facet layer in Whistler Creek yesterday. Of note was that the slide was triggered from a shallow rocky area, stepped down to the basal facet layer and was in a cross wind loaded feature at tree-line. Field teams earlier in the week remotely triggered several slabs at tree-line.

Confidence

Regions covered