Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 6th, 2019 4:00PM

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

timothy johnson, Parks Canada

Jasper.

As the month long drought ends look for a variety of weak layers to be buried that could cause problems in the weeks to come.

Summary

Weather Forecast

The cold ridge of high pressure has finally broke down by a series of lows moving inland bringing warmer moister air and a little precip over the region. Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. Alpine High -8 C, Low -16 C. Ridge wind Light Southwest gusting ModerateMountain weather forecast available at Avalanche Canada.

Snowpack Summary

10cm of new snow through Thursday and moderate winds could create new windslabs in the alpine. New snow will bury a variety of surface; surface hoar, facets and crusts. The upper snowpack remains generally facetted. The mid and lower snowpack is facetted but still generally carries skis.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

The weak and facetted snowpack is about to be tested by warming temperatures, then some new snow, for the first time in over a month. Triggering of the basal weakness may become possible in areas where the snowpack above still retains some cohesion.

Evaluate terrain features by digging and testing on adjacent, safe slopes. Be cautious in shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

New snow and west winds could create wind slabs in the alpine.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Mar 7th, 2019 4:00PM