Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Feb 15 – 16, 2024Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 3 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

A few centimeters of new snow and northly winds have reverse loaded onto southerly slopes that don't usually have wind slab issues. This combined with the February crust on solar aspects should give you pause as you head into tree line and the alpine to stop, dig and investigate before you commit to a climb or ski run.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Moderate to strong winds from the west and northwest have formed new wind slabs in leeward features in the alpine.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    This weak layer, buried 20-40cm deep, is still reactive in snowpit tests and human triggering remains possible, particularly in shallow rocky start zones.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    The base of the snowpack is inherently weak and untrustworthy. Human and natural triggering of these basal facets remains possible.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

An avalanche around Boundary Peak was observed on Tuesday likely sliding on the Feb 3 crust loaded from northerly winds. Two recent, and large, Deep Persistent Slab avalanches were observed along the Icefields Parkway on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

Northwest winds have redistributed the recent snow in open areas at tree line and above.

In sheltered areas 15 - 25cm of low density snow overlies the Feb 3rd crust, which ranges from 1-3cm thick on shaded aspects up to 2500m and to 2800m+ on solar aspects. It is 15-20cm thick at lower elevations. The Persistent and Deep Persistent weak layers continue to produce whoomphing and sudden fractures in tests.

Weather Summary

Thursday

Sunny with cloudy periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: High -13 °C.

Ridge wind northeast: 10-20 km/h.

Friday

Sunny with cloudy periods.

Precipitation: Nil.

Alpine temperature: Low -13 °C, High -4 °C.

Light ridge wind.

Freezing level: 1500 metres.

The Mountain Weather Forecast is available at Avalanche Canada https://avalanche.ca/weather/forecast

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
  • Minimize exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of runout zones.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

Regions covered