Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2022–Mar 3rd, 2022

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Jasper.

Road closures are planned for avalanche control on March 3, 2022 on Highway 93N between Saskatchewan Crossing and Parkers Ridge. Road will be closed for 1.5 hour durations between 10am and 3pm.

Weather Forecast

Thursday

Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries.

Precipitation: Trace.

Alpine temperature: High -3 °C.

Ridge wind light to 25 km/h.

Freezing level: 1800 metres.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C, High -8 °C.

Ridge wind north: 10-25 km/h.

Freezing level at valley bottom.

Snowpack Summary

20cm of new snow around the Parker Ridge area brings the Storm total to 35 cm since Feb 28. The new snow is low density. Freezing levels are around 2100m. A crust below the top 25-40cm of snow is decomposing and can be found below 2500m. There is a weak facet snow layer at the bottom of the snowpack, this is widespread throughout the park.

Avalanche Summary

Several loose dry avalanches were observed off steep rocky features on Wednesday up to Sz 1. One small natural wind slab observed on a steep rocky open tree line slope on Monday.

Confidence

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.