Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 25 – 26, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Cautious decisions are key particularly on large terrain features or those around terrain traps.  Consequences would be severe.  Remotely triggered avalanches notes in our region today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Windslabs have developed and will persist as the weather remains static. Potentially overlying buried surface hoar from Feb 10 so be vigilant particularly in the alpine and open tree-line features.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Widespread whumphing and shooting cracks in previously un-skied terrain. Recent natural activity and remote triggering of this weakness resulted in avalanches up to size 3 failing on the weak faceted snowpack. Caution is recommended.

Weather Forecast

Flurries now to Tuesday with light westerly winds. Expect -10 to -20 degrees celsius with the coldest being Saturday. 

Snowpack Summary

Windslabs exist at TL and ALP. A rain crust is below 1900m. A dense upper snowpack overlies a weak faceted base making for unpredictably dangerous avalanche conditions. Feb 10 SH layer may be 40cm deep yet its reactivity remains dormant.

Avalanche Summary

Friday's patrol observed 2 avalanches remotely triggered by skiers size 1.5-2 in Columbia Icefield area at 2000m treeline elevation. Two size 2-2.5 noted in the alpine south of Parkers ridge. One was a cross-loaded NW alpine feature, the other was triggered by cornice failure. Some loose dry activity size 1 noted in steep alpine terrain. 

Confidence

The weather pattern is stable

Regions covered