Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 28th, 2019 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Dry and Deep Persistent Slabs.

jasper snow safety, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Maligne valley and Poboktan caribou closures open March 1st. The basal depth hoar appears to be dormant; however, don't let it catch you off guard as triggering it would have severe consequences.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Next couple of days will be cold clear nights, warming in the afternoon sun, and dry conditions as the arctic air rules supreme over our region. Winds will be light Northerly. Mountain weather forecast available at Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack on solar aspects is stiffening up otherwise it remains faceted on polar aspects. Wind effect is in open terrain from previous SW switching to N winds. The Jan 18 layer of surface hoar/facets down 40cm has mostly faceted away, yet still shows isolated sensitivity at treeline and below. The midpack is supportive over depth hoar.

Avalanche Summary

There were widespread loose surface avalanches up to size 1.5 noted on steep solar South and West aspects mainly at treeline initiated by intense sun. On Wednesday the team noted some isolated whumpfs and cracking around treeline in the Whistler Creek area.

Confidence

Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain

Problems

Loose Dry

Point release activity is increasing with strong solar input particularly on steep S and W aspects at TL and below.

Minimize exposure to terrain traps where the consequences of an avalanche could be serious.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

The basal weakness (aka depth hoar) is generally dormant; however, these may be possible to trigger in isolated shallow snowpack places.

Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Mar 1st, 2019 4:00PM