Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 9 – 10, 2017Parks Canada

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Avalanche danger

Thu

Fri

Alpine

3 · Considerable

Treeline

3 · Considerable

Below

2 · Moderate

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Highlights

March 3rd's 45cm of new snow continues to settle. Choose simple terrain that is well supported. A buried unstable surface hoar layer was found on South aspect at treeline sitting on a crust. Be cognisant of this.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible - Likely
Size
2–3
45cm of storm snow from March 3 has evolved into a soft slab and melded in many locations to the midpack below. South TL aspects the new snow was found resting on a decomposing surface hoar layer on a crust about 30cm down. It tested unstable.
Deep Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible - Likely
Size
2–3
March 3rd 45cm of new snow load produced size 3's. This activity has subsided. They were from the alpine and treeline elevations running to valley bottoms. One should consider it a concern if the persistent slab above is initiated and steps down.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night will be cold and 5cm new snow. Thursday will be -16 to -20, light S and W winds, and no new of snow. Friday will be -8, flurries, and light E winds. Saturday will be increasing wind speeds into the 25km/hr range out of the West.

Snowpack Summary

45cm of storm snow from March 3 continues to settle into a soft slab generally at treeline and above. The lower snowpack is structurally weak with depth hoar, facets, and a deteriorating rain crust from November. S aspect we found decomposing SH/surface facet layer on a sun crust down 30cm under March 3rd's storm snow. It was testing unstable.

Avalanche Summary

Skiers on March 7 in Bald hills triggered a size 2 from a km away. Report and pictures can be viewed on CAA's Mountain Information Network. No patrol occurred on March 8.

Confidence

Regions covered

Jasper