Avalanche forecast

Jasper

Mar 19 – 20, 2017Parks Canada
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Archived · expired 10 years ago

Avalanche danger

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

Check Alberta 511 for projected opening times and date for the Icefields Parkway (93N).

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3
    50+cm of storm snow over the week has formed a dangerous windslab. Wide crowns up to 2m deep have been seen from Maligne to Parkers area. Moderate to strong SW winds and warm temps will keep this layer very active.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely - Very Likely
    Size
    2–4
    The widespread observations of large and deep avalanches indicates strongly that many of these events are from this instability. Increased loading and warm temperatures will keep this layer active.

Weather Forecast

Storm exits and in comes a weak high pressure and inflow of cooler air for a few days. Alpine temps to dip below -15 for Monday morning with clearing skies. Strong solar influence can be expected and will likely wake up an already stressed snowpack on any south aspect, especially below treeline as freezing levels are again expected to rise to 2000m

Snowpack Summary

+50cm HST this month redistributed with Mod SW winds. Deeply loaded (100+ cm) lee areas with unpredictable spacial variability. Buried localized solar, rain and melt-freeze crusts, up to 2000+m on S and 1600m in the N asp. New snow weakly bridging a faceted older snow pack. Morphing interfaces scattered, at depth through the midpack to ground.

Avalanche Summary

Historically quiet avalanche paths running full path and hitting the highway. Historically active paths, acting normal and hitting the highway.

Confidence

Regions covered